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Computer system consists of Hardware components and software

components which follow the Input-process-output-storage model.

to put it very simply, how a computer system works is it accepts data or

instructions as inputs from input devices, processes them in a manner to
provide useful information. often times extra data or instructions are required in
the process phase apart from the Inputted data, these extra data or instructions
are copied and loaded from the storage component.

all the processing in a computer system is done by the Central Processing

Unit(CPU)

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 CPU is the hardware component of a computer system which can perform
basic arithmetic, logical and Input/Output operations which are required to
convert data or instructions into useful information.

another aspect of the CPU is to communicate with the primary storage in order
to fetch data and instructions which may be needed for processing. the CPU
can only communicate with the primary memory.

there are many components in the cpu each having their own specific function,
the components are as follows:
Control Unit (CU): the control unit is involved with various operations of the
cpu, its tasking is to fetch all the necessary data and instructions as well as the
sequence of their execution from the primary memory.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): the Arithmetic logical unit is involved with
performing basic logical, arithmetic and Input/Output operations.

The CU is involved with providing the ALU with all the necessary data and
instructions as well as how they are supposed to be executed.

as we dive deeper into the components of the CPU, there exists these small
storage spaces with the CU, which can hold memory of up to multiples of 8bits.
These are known as REGISTERS

Memory address Register (MAR): The MAR contains the memory address of
the data that is to be executed by the ALU, so that the ALU can process the
corresponding data. The connection between MAR and the CU is created by
the Memory Address Bus

Memory Data Register (MDR) : The MDR stores the data that is to be used by
the ALU for processing and to be stored in RAM.

as we talk about the Primary Memory, theres two main Types of it:
RAM: RAM stores data and instructions of the executing program as well as any
extra data that is needed. these data and instructions are stored in unique

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 memory locations each having their own content and Location where, the
content is where the data reside where the location is where the memory is
fetched by from the CU to be process by the ALU.

the data inside RAM is mainly for general purposes and can be written over,
making this type of memory a type of volatile (means that the data is lost if the
power is lost)

ROM: this type of storage is very similar to Random access memory, however
the data is non- volatile in nature . meaning it isn’t lost when the power turns off
or whatever. the data is stored the same way in unique memory locations with
content and address.

The data that is inside the ROM usually consists of programs to boot up the
computer system.

There is a direct connection between the data registers in the CU and the RAM
in the primary. This connection is created using the memory address bus and
memory data bus.

An easy notation to understand how data travels from storage to the CPU
is:

1. MAR has the address of the data, which finds the data in the primary
memory. This is through the memory address bus.

2. Once the address of the data is found, the corresponding data from that
address is placed on the memory data bus.

3. The corresponding data is then transferred to memory data register

through the memory data bus.

4. The memory data register sends the data necessary to the arithmetic logic
unit, where it gets processed.

5. Once the data is processed, it is saved onto the primary data yet again until
it is needed;

Speaking about RAM, there are two main types:

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 Static RAM: a faster and more expensive RAM placed between the main RAM
(Dynamic RAM) and the processor itself.

Dynamic RAM: this is known as the main RAM of the computer system and is
located in the primary memory.
cache: small amounts of SRAM placed between the processor and the main
dynamic RAM, which temporarily stores data and instructions so the processor
doesn't need to access the slower main RAM. It is divided into two types, which
are L1 cache and L2 cache, where L1 is on the CPU and L2 is between the main
RAM and CPU.

FETCH-DECODE-EXECUTE-STORE CYCLE

Previously, we talked about the simple notation of how data is fetched,

decoded, and executed. We were on the right path of understanding.

Fetching involves the same thing, where the CPU is involved in finding the right
instruction to be loaded. This is done through the memory address register,
which loads the address on to the memory address bus and to the primary
memory. The corresponding data is then loaded onto the data bus and brought
back to the control unit.

Decoding ensures that all the data and instructions that are loaded onto the CU
are sufficient to execute and perform a function. If the data or instructions are
not enough, they are again loaded on through the data bus and into the CU
(same as fetching).

Execution is where the data and instructions are utilised by the ALU after
decoding to perform a function or calculate a result. Depending on the result if
theres a need for further instructions to be loaded, it would be done in the same
way as fetching.

Storage is the process that follows the execution of the data and instructions,
where it get stored in the primary memory.

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 SECONDARY STORAGE(PERSISTANT STORAGE)
Secondary storage is a relatively slower memory that can be written over but is
non-volatile. Meaning that the data stored inside can be manipulated (like
RAM), and it does not go off if there is a power outage. (like ROM)

How does it work?

When a system first starts, the main RAM is empty. Any sort of instructions and
data that are required are copied into the primary memory with the help of
whatever has been stored in the secondary memory.

When there is a lack of space how does virtual memory work?

Another thing to note is that when there are any data and instructions currently
being executed in the primary memory, and there is a need to open up another
program from the secondary memory. The program that has been used the
least (and is being run) will be transferred into the secondary memory, and the
new program will be moved to the main RAM to compensate for the lack of
space to run all programs simultaneously.

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 Whats the relation between cpu and primary memmory and secondary
memory?

What are the different types?

The different types of secondary memory are the following:

CD-RW/DVD-RW

harddrive

Thumb drive

floppy disk

solid state drive

magnetic tape

zip disk

OPERATING SYSTEM
The operating system, or OS, is a set of software instructions that allow control
over the computer’s hardware and provide services for the computer's
programs.
Some of the main aspects of operating system are:

NETWORKING: allowing computer systems to connect to the internet

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 SECURITY: managing of the security of the computer system
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

PHERIPERAL CONNECTION: enabling a connection with the pheriperal devices

like mouse, keyboards and etc.
MEMORY MANAGEMENT: involved with providing how much RAM left and so
forth

SOFTWARE APPLICATION INTERFACE

there are two main types of interfaces, Command line interface and graphical
user interface. the basic essence of command line interface is that it uses more
code based communications and is used in aspects where programmers need
to be typing out each and every command. graphical user interface makes use
of various icons, menu, pointers and tools to communicate with the user
essentially making it easier for a common man to communicate with the
computer.

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