Basic computer structure and function
Computer Structure is the way in which all the components relate to each other.
A function is the operation of all individual components that work as a part of the structure
A simple computer consists of the following components.
• Processor
• Memory
• Input/output device
Output devices include the screen and printers and these can be used to show or display output from the processor. Input and output devices are also called peripheral devices.
When we use only one processor it is known as the Central Processing Unit, or CPU.
In the CPU all the instructions are processed and computations are carried out and the required result will be displayed on the screen.CPU is the control centre of the computer.
The communication channels allow data and control signals to be communicated between all components of the computer via the system bus or external bus.
A bus is a collection of parallel wires each of which can carry a digital signal from one component to another as per the instructions.
The CPU has its own separate internal bus that allows the communication of data and control signals between its component parts.
A data bus, address bus and control lines are used for different purposes at different times.
CPU: The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is part of the hardware through which every instruction doesn’t matter whether an instruction is simple or complicated processes every instruction, we can say CPU is the brain of every computer.
CPU is a specific type of microprocessor, placed on the motherboard, Motherboards design will have a particular socket for this, which is for a specific type of processor. While working, the CPU generates heat so it requires its own cooling system in the form of a heat sink and/or fan.
Control Unit: The control unit moves the data between the registers, ALU, and memory. The control unit gives instructions to the ALU what operation to perform on that data and after the complete process ALU stores the result in an output register.
Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU): It is a fundamental block of the Central processing unit, all the arithmetic operations are performed through the ALU, for this having a digital circuit.
Registers: A register is a small amount of storage available in the CPU.
Program Counter: A program counter (PC) is a CPU register in the computer processor which holds the address of the next instruction to be executed from memory, is also tracking the current execution point, and the program counter is also known as an instruction address register or sequence control register.
Instruction registers: An instruction register holds a machine instruction that is currently being executed in CPU, the main function of the instruction register is to hold that currently queued instruction for use.
Main Memory: This memory refers to the physical memory of a computer i.e. internal memory of the computer. The computer can manipulate only data that is present in the main memory. Every program stores data on the main memory. When programs start to execute then data becomes active and copied from secondary memory into main memory where the processor can interact with them and after complete execution, a copy remains in secondary memory.
External Memory: External memory is used to store data outside the computer, this type of storage may be connected to computer permanent or temporary.
Peripheral devices: These types of devices are used for special functionality, sometimes these devices act as auxiliary devices as input-output devices like keyboard, mouse, scanner, projector, printer, camera and microphone.
Peripheral devices are connected as external or internal devices but they don’t contribute to computer primary functions such as computing.
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