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36 views3 pages

Notes ps1

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electrotech156
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© © All Rights Reserved
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There are a few basic components that aid the working-cycle of a computer i.e.

the
Input- Process- Output Cycle and these are called as the functional components of a
computer.

It needs certain input, processes that input and produces the desired output. The input
unit takes the input, the central processing unit does the processing of data and the
output unit produces the output. The memory unit holds the data and instructions
during the processing.

Digital Computer: A digital computer can be defined as a programmable machine which


reads the binary data passed as instructions, processes this binary data, and displays a
calculated digital output. Therefore, Digital computers are those that work on the digital
data.

• Input Unit :The input unit consists of input devices that are attached to the computer.
These devices take input and convert it into binary language that the computer
understands. Some of the common input devices are keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner
etc.

• Central Processing Unit (CPU) : Once the information is entered into the computer by
the input device, the processor processes it. The CPU is called the brain of the
computer because it is the control center of the computer. It first fetches instructions
from memory and then interprets them so as to know what is to be done. If required,
data is fetched from memory or input device. Thereafter CPU executes or performs the
required computation and then either stores the output or displays on the output
device. The CPU has three
main components which are responsible for different functions –

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit (CU) and Memory registers

• Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) : The ALU, as its name suggests performs
mathematical calculations and takes logical decisions. Arithmetic calculations include
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Logical decisions involve comparison
of two data items to see which one is larger or smaller or equal.

• Control Unit : The Control unit coordinates and controls the data flow in and out of
CPU and also controls all the operations of ALU, memory, registers and also
input/output units. It is also responsible for carrying out all the instructions stored in the
program. It decodes the fetched instruction, interprets it and sends control signals to
input/output devices until the required operation is done properly by ALU and memory.

• Memory Registers : A register is a temporary unit of memory in the CPU. These are
used to store the data which is directly used by the processor. Registers can be of
different sizes(16 bit, 32 bit, 64 bit and so on) and each register inside the CPU has a
specific function like storing data, storing an instruction, storing address of a location in
memory etc. The user registers can be used by an assembly language programmer for
storing operands, intermediate results etc.

Accumulator (ACC) is the main register in the ALU and contains one of the operands of
an operation to be performed in the ALU.
• Memory : Memory attached to the CPU is used for storage of data and instructions
and is called internal memory The internal memory is divided into many storage
locations, each of which can store data or instructions. Each memory location is of the
same size and has an address. With the help of the address, the computer can read any
memory location easily without having to search the entire memory.

When a program is executed, it’s data is copied to the internal memory and is stored in
the memory till the end of the execution. The internal memory is also called the Primary
memory or Main memory. This memory is also called as RAM, i.e. Random Access
Memory. The time of access of data is independent of its location in memory, therefore
this memory is also called Random Access memory (RAM). Read this for different types
of RAMs

• Output Unit : The output unit consists of output devices that are attached with the
computer. It converts the binary data coming from CPU to human understandable form.
The common output devices are monitor, printer, plotter etc.

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