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Basic Structure of Computer Hardware and Software

A computer accepts digitized input, processes it according to stored instructions, and produces output. It has input, memory, processing, and output units. Memory is divided between primary storage which temporarily stores active programs, and secondary storage for permanent storage. The processing unit contains registers for temporary storage and an ALU for arithmetic/logic operations controlled by the CU. Programs are written in low-level machine language or symbolic assembly/high-level languages and translated into machine code.

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16 views

Basic Structure of Computer Hardware and Software

A computer accepts digitized input, processes it according to stored instructions, and produces output. It has input, memory, processing, and output units. Memory is divided between primary storage which temporarily stores active programs, and secondary storage for permanent storage. The processing unit contains registers for temporary storage and an ALU for arithmetic/logic operations controlled by the CU. Programs are written in low-level machine language or symbolic assembly/high-level languages and translated into machine code.

Uploaded by

rafaelmedina09672734401
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basic Structure of Computer

Hardware and Software


What is a Digital Computer?
• A digital computer is a fast electronic calculating machine that
accepts digitized input information, processes it according to a list of
internally stored instructions, and produces the resulting output
information.
Types of Computers
• Personal Computers
• Workstations
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers
Functional Units of a Computer
Input Unit
• The Input Unit accepts coded information from human operators or
from other computers.

Examples:
keyboard, joystick, mouse, input pen, touch screen, trackball, scanner,
bar code readers, microphone, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, compact
disks
The Memory Unit – Primary Storage
• Primary Storage or Main Memory. This is where programs are
stored during their execution. The MM is a fast memory capable of
operating at electronic speeds.

• The information in MM is often processed in groups of fixed size


called words.
The Memory Unit – Primary Storage
• To provide easy access to any word in MM, a distinct address is
associated with each word location. Addresses are numbers that
identify successive locations.
Main Memory Divisions
MM is subdivided into the following:
• Input Storage Area
• Working Storage Space
• Output Storage Area
• Program Storage Area
Memory Unit – Secondary Storage
Secondary Storage or Auxiliary Storage.
• This is used when large amounts of data have to be stored (on a more
permanent basis), particularly if some of the data need not be
accessed very frequently.
Processing Unit
• Also called the Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Central Processor.
• It contains a number of high-speed (10 times faster than MM) storage
elements called registers that are used for temporary storage of
frequently used operands.
• The CPU is composed of the Arithmetic- Logic Unit (ALU) and the
Control Unit (CU).
Output Unit
• It sends processed results to the outside world.

Examples:
• Display screens, printers, plotters, modems, microfilms, synthesizers,
high-tech blackboards, film recorders
Basic Operation of a Computer
• The operation of a computer can be summarized as follows:

1. The computer accepts information.


2. Information stored in the memory is fetched, under program control,
into an arithmetic and logic unit, where it is processed.
3. Processed information leaves the computer through an output unit.
4. All activities inside the machine are directed by the control unit.
Basic Concepts of Computer Architecture
• Computer Architecture is the design of computers, including their
instruction sets, hardware components, and system organization.
Types of Programming Language
The different types of programming languages are as follows:
• Machine Language
• Assembly Language
• High-level Language
• 4GL Language
Machine Language
• The natural or primitive language that the computer actually
understands. This programming language consists of 0’s and 1’s which
makes programming very difficult.
Assembly Language
• A programming language that uses “abbreviations” or mnemonics in
place of binary patterns in order to make the task of programming
easier.
• An assembler is used to translate assembly language mnemonics into
machine language.
High-Level Language
• A programming language that uses English-like commands or
instructions. High-level languages are the easiest to use and contains
many complicated or advanced instructions.
• A compiler is used to translate high-level language instructions into
machine language.
Fourth Generation Language
• A fourth-generation programming language (or 4GL) is a programming
language designed with a specific purpose in mind such as the
development of commercial business software.

All 4GLs are designed to reduce:

• programming effort.
• the time it takes to develop software.
• the cost of software development.
Advantages of High-Level Languages
Advantages of using high-level languages over low-level languages:
1. Easy to Learn
2. Predefined Functions
3. Portability
Advantages of Low-Level Languages
Advantages of using low-level languages over high-level languages:
1. Compact Code
2. Speed
3.Flexible

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