COMPUTER OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Computer have made great inroads in our everyday life and thinking.
They are put to use for all sorts of applications ranging from complex
calculation in the field or frontline research, engineering
simulations down to teaching , printing books and recreation games.
What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that can be
programmed to accept input data, process the
data according to the user’s need and export the
result that would be output.
Basic computer Organization
Computer organization refers to the logical
structure of a computer describing how its
components are connected: how they effect one
another’s functioning and contribute to the
overall performance of the computer.
Input Unit
Since a computer operates on electricity, it can understand
only the language of electricity i.e., either ON or OFF or high
voltage or low voltage. That means a computer can
understand two stages ON/OFF or High/Low voltage or the
binary language that uses just two symbols: 1 for ON and 0
for OFF.
Example –
If we give the computer to add 5 + 5, then;
• Data: it is 5 and 5
• Instruction: Addition
Some common input devices are:
1.Keyboard: A keyboard is a typewriter-like device that is used to type
in letters, digits and commands.
2.Mouse: The mouse is a pointing device with either a roller on its base
or some laser mechanism. Mouse controls the movement of pointer (also
called the mouse pointer) on the screen.
CPU Unit
– Central Processing Unit
The CPU is parted into 3 parts
that is:
1.ALU: Arithmetic Logic Unit
2.CU: Control Unit
3.Registers
ALU – Arithmetic Logic
Unit Arithmetic
•When two numbers are added, these are sent to the ALU from
the memory.
•The addition takes place then the result is put back in the
memory.
Logical
•Sent to the memory to ALU where the comparison takes place
•And returned to memory
CU – Control Unit
The CU sends control signals until required operations are
done by ALU and memory. The CU controls and guides the
interpretation, flow and manipulation of all data and
information.
Registers
• Registers or processor registers are small units of data holding
places.
• The CPU uses registers to temporarily hold some important
processing information during the time the processing is taking
place.
Memory (Main/Primary)
The memory of a computer is more like a predefined working
place, where it temporarily keeps information. Each memory
location has a unique memory address.
When the task is performed, it clears its memory and memory
space is then available for the next task to be performed.
