BASIC COMPUTER STRUCTURE

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ARCHITECHTURE

All types of computers follow a same basic logical structure and perform the following
five basic operations for converting raw input data into information useful to their users.
Following diagram shows the basic structure of Computer:
 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ARCHITECHTURE
Input Unit
This unit contains devices with the help of which we enter data into computer.
This unit makes link between user and computer.
The input devices translate the information into the form understandable by
computer.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
 CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. CPU performs all types
of data processing operations.
 It stores data, intermediate results and instructions(program). It
controls the operation of all parts of computer.

CPU itself has following three components

⮚ ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)

⮚ Memory Unit

⮚ Control Unit
Output Unit
 Output unit consists of devices with the help of which we get the
information from computer.
 This unit is a link between computer and users. Output devices
translate the computer’s output into the form understandable by
users.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ARCHITECHTURE
SR NO OPERATION DESCRIPTION

1 The process of entering data and instructions into the

Take Input
computer system
2
Saving data and instructions so that they are available for
Store Data
processing as and when required.

3
Performing arithmetic, and logical operations on data in
Processing Data
order to convert them into useful information.

4
The process of producing useful information or results for
Output Information
the user, such as a printed report or visual display.

5
Directs the manner and sequence in which all of the
Control the workflow
above operations are performed.
COMPUTER RELATED TERMINOLOGIES

Bit – Represents a binary digit which is the amount of information obtained by asking a
‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. This is also the smallest unit of information stored on a computer
as a 0 or 1.

Byte – Data is stored on a computer in Bytes. A byte is one character, which may be a
number or letter. A byte is composed of 8 consecutive bits.
1,024 bytes = 1 kilobyte (K or KB)
1,024 KB = 1 megabyte (MB)
1,024 MB = 1 gigabyte (GB)
1,024 GB = 1 Terabyte (TB)
• Memory (RAM) – :
• The amount of temporary storage that you can use at one time.
• Memory stores ends when the computer is shut down. This is the
reason that you save work before turning off the computer
COMPUTER RELATED TERMINOLOGIES
ROM :
ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
• The memory from which we can only read but cannot write on it. This
type of memory is non-volatile.

• The information is stored permanently in such memories during

manufacture. A ROM stores such instructions that are required to start a
computer. This operation is referred to as bootstrap.
• A bootstrap is the program that initializes the operating system (OS) during startup.

• ROM chips are not only used in the computer but also in other
electronic items like washing machine and microwave oven.
TYPES:
MROM (Masked ROM)
The very first ROMs were hard-wired devices that contained a pre-
programmed set of data or instructions. These kind of ROMs are known
as masked ROMs, which are inexpensive.
PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
PROM is read-only memory that can be modified only once by a user.
The user buys a blank PROM and enters the desired contents using a
PROM program. Inside the PROM chip. It can be programmed only
once and is not erasable.
COMPUTER RELATED TERMINILOGIES
EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
EPROM can be erased by exposing it to ultra-violet light for a duration of up to 40
minutes.
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased and reprogrammed
about ten thousand times.
COMPUTER RELATED TERMINOLOGIES
Advantages of ROM
The advantages of ROM are as follows −
⮚ Non-volatile in nature
⮚ Cannot be accidentally changed
⮚ Cheaper than RAMs
⮚ Easy to test
⮚ More reliable than RAMs
⮚ Static and do not require refreshing
⮚ Contents are always known and can be verified
THE SYSTEM BUS :
All units of a computer system are connected via a bus that
carries information: it is a bundle of cables, like a highway where
information travels. The bus has a limited speed which
determines its ability to carry information.
•An internal bus links units within the computer: CPU, main
memory and peripheral interfaces.
•An external bus connects external Input/output devices to the
peripheral interfaces. Three types of information can travel via a
bus: data, address and control signals. Then some computer
systems have three separate buses for each type of signal.
 THE SYSTEM BUS :
❖ In computer architecture, a bus (a contraction of the Latin
omnibus is a communication system that transfers data between
components inside a computer, or between computers.
❖ This expression covers all related hardware components (wire,
optical fiber, etc.) and software, including communication
protocols.
❖ Early computer buses were parallel electrical wires with multiple
hardware connections, but the term is now used for any physical
arrangement that provides the same logical function as a parallel
electrical bus.
 TYPES OF COMPUTER BUSES
There are a variety of buses found inside the computer.

Data Bus: The data bus allows data to travel back and between the microprocessor (CPU)
and memory (RAM).This type of bus is bidirectional.

Address Bus: The address bus carries information about the location of data in memory. This
type of bus is bidirectional.

Control Bus : The control bus carries the control signals that make sure everything is flowing
smoothly from place to place. This type of bus is unidirectional.
 SINGLE AND MULTI ADDRESS INSTRUCTION WORDS :
⮚ Computer perform task on the basis of instruction provided.
⮚ A instruction in computer comprises of groups called fields.
⮚ These field contains different information as for computers every thing is in 0 and 1 so
each field has different significance on the basis of which a CPU decide what so
perform. The most common fields are:
▪ Operation field which specifies the operation to be performed like addition.
▪ Address field which contain the location of operand, i.e., register or memory location.
▪ Mode field which specifies how operand is to be founded.
⮚ A instruction is of various length depending upon the number of addresses it contain.
Generally CPU organization are of three types on the basis of number of address
fields:
▪ Single Accumulator organization
▪ General register organization
▪ Stack organization
 SINGLE AND MULTI ADDRESS INSTRUCTION WORDS
▪ 1) In first organization operation is done involving a special
register called accumulator.
▪ An accumulator is a register for short-term, intermediate storage of arithmetic and
logic data in a computer's CPU.
▪ A processor register (CPU register) is one of a small set of data holding places that are
part of the computer.

▪ In second on multiple registers are used for the computation

purpose.

▪ In third organization the work on stack basis operation due to

which it does not contain any address field.
▪ It is not necessary that only a single organization is applied a blend of
various organization is mostly what we see generally.
Note that we will use X = (A+B) expression to showcase the procedure. :