1.1 INTRODUCTION
In this lesson we present an overview of the basic design of a computer system: how the different parts of a computer system are organized and various operations performed to perform a specific task. You would have observed that instructions have to be fed into the computer in a systematic order to perform a specific task. Computer components are divided into two major categories, namely, hardware and software. In this lesson we will discuss about hardware, i.e., the machine itself and it connected devices such as monitor, keyboard, mouse etc., as well as software that makes use of hardware for performing various functions.
1.2 WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
Computer is a device that transforms data into meaningful information. Data can be anything like marks obtained by you in various subjects. It can also be name, age, sex, weight, height, etc. of all the students in a class. Computer can also be defined in terms of functions it can perform. A computer can
i) accept data,
ii) store data,
iii) process data as desired
iv) retrieve the stored data as and when required , and
v) print the result in desired format.
The major characteristics of a computer are high speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and storage.
1.2.1 Computer Organisation
Fig. 1.1 Block diagram of Computer Organisation
The computer performs basically five major operations of functions irrespective of their size and make. These are
1) it accepts data or instruction by way of input,
2) it stores data,
3) it can process data as required by the user,
4) it gives results in the form of output, and
5) it controls all operations inside a computer. We discuss below each of these operations.
1. Input: this is the process of entering data and programs into the computer system.
Input unit Output unit
2. Control Unit (CU): The process of input, output, processing and storage is performed under the supervision of a unit called 'Control Unit'. It decides when to start receiving data, when to stop it, where to store data, etc. It takes care of step -by-step processing of all operations in side the computer.
3. Memory Unit: Computer is used to store data and instructions.
4. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): The major operations performed by the ALU are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logic and comparison.
5. Output: This is the process of producing results from the data for getting useful information.
The ALU and the CU of a computer system are jointly known as the central processing unit (CPU). You may call CPU as the brain of any computer system.
1.2 WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
Computer is a device that transforms data into meaningful information. Data can be anything like marks obtained by you in various subjects. It can also be name, age, sex, weight, height, etc. of all the students in a class. Computer can also be defined in terms of functions it can perform. A computer can
i) accept data,
ii) store data,
iii) process data as desired
iv) retrieve the stored data as and when required , and
v) print the result in desired format.
The major characteristics of a computer are high speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and storage.
1.2.1 Computer Organisation
Fig. 1.1 Block diagram of Computer Organisation
The computer performs basically five major operations of functions irrespective of their size and make. These are
1) it accepts data or instruction by way of input,
2) it stores data,
3) it can process data as required by the user,
4) it gives results in the form of output, and
5) it controls all operations inside a computer. We discuss below each of these operations.
1. Input: this is the process of entering data and programs into the computer system.
Input unit Output unit
3. Memory Unit: Computer is used to store data and instructions.
4. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): The major operations performed by the ALU are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logic and comparison.
5. Output: This is the process of producing results from the data for getting useful information.
The ALU and the CU of a computer system are jointly known as the central processing unit (CPU). You may call CPU as the brain of any computer system.
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