How a Computer Processes Data Computer Fundamentals

How a Computer Processes Data

Computer Fundamentals

Copyright © 2006, HaiVDC 2

Outline

Computer Fundamentals Facebook You Can Be a Millionaire Who Do You Marry? Final Thoughts


Computer System


First Computer


First Computer


First Computer Vacuum Tubes Transistor Silicon Chip


The Central Processing Unit

Only perform three tasks. The CPU is the brains of a computer system. The CPU is housed on a silicon chip that contains millions of

switches and circuits. The CPU has two primary sections:

Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) This section performs arithmetic and logical operations.

Control Unit This section is the boss of the CPU and coordinates all activity

within the CPU. It uses programming instructions to control what actions the CPU performs and when it performs them.


CPU


CPU Closeup


CPU Evolution


Data Representation

Decimal – 10 Fingers Binary – 00001010 Hexadecimal – A Roman Numeral – X

Decimal Binary

1 1

2 10

3 11

4 100

5 101

6 110

7 111

8 1000

9 1001

10 1010


System Motherboard Inside the case of a modern PC is the motherboard, which

contains the electronic circuitry of the computer. Components found on the motherboard include

The primary processing chip (CPU). The memory chips. Expansion slots for system interface cards. Ports for connecting external devices. BIOS chips that control system start-up. The circuitry that enables all of these components to

communicate.


Example of a Motherboard


Computer Memory Data being processed by a CPU is stored in system

memory. Memory consists of addressable locations within the

machine that the computer can access directly. Data stored in memory is not permanent. If the power

fails, everything in memory is lost. Data must be stored on a disk or some other device

when not being processed so it is not lost each time the computer shuts down.


Types of Memory RAM – Random Access Memory

This is short-term memory where data is processed while a program is running.

Data stored here can be accessed and modified as needed. This type of memory loses any data it holds if the computer is shut

down. ROM – Read-Only Memory

ROM is memory placed on the motherboard by the manufacturer and contains instructions that tell the computer how to start itself.

This data cannot be accessed or modified by application programs. The contents of this memory are not lost when the computer is shut

down.


Auxiliary Storage Floppy Disk

No longer standard Hard (fixed) disk

30 Gb and higher 5400rpm, 7200 rpm

Removable storage CD-ROM CD-R/CD-RW DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW

(Digital Video Disk HD) Zip disks Tape


Disk Storage

Based on bytes per track per sector

1 track on 1 Sector contains 512 bytes

Track-sector on each surface (top & bottom)

Storage = 1,024 bytes per track-sector (top & bottom) = 1K


Disk Storage

Cylinder Same track on each

surface make up a cylinder

All data in one cylinder can be read without moving read/write arm


The Instruction and Execution Cycles


Input Devices


The Monitor Resolution is expressed in

picture elements or pixels; (800 x 600 or 1024 x 768)

The higher the resolution, the more you can see at one time.

Larger monitors enable you to you run at higher resolutions; e.g., 19” to run 1024 x 768 comfortably

A graphics card speeds processing


Lower Resolution (800 x 600)

Displays 20 rows and 8 columns


Higher Resolution (1024 x 768)

Displays 28 rows and 12 columns


The Printer Ink Jet

Today’s entry level Laser

Top-of-the line Four-in-one functionality

Printer, scanner, fax, copier

Network printer


Ports and Expansion Slots Serial and parallel ports are used to connect peripheral devices

to the computer circuitry. Serial devices (mice/monitors) transmit data one bit at a time. Parallel devices (printers) transmit data several bits at time.

USB is a newer, high-speed method of connecting devices and is beginning to replace serial and parallel ports.

Expansion slots are electrical connections in the motherboard that can accept circuit cards to perform specific functions. These are commonly used to plug in sound cards, video cards,

scanners, and other devices.


A Typical Expansion Card

It has electrical prongs along the bottom to plug into the expansion slot and make an electrical connection to the main board.

This port sticks out of the back of the PC case and is used to attach the device that this card controls.


Summary Just about all computers perform the same

general options: input, processing, output, and storage.

Input, output, and processing devices grouped together represent a computer system.

The motherboard is the center of all processing. The motherboard contains the CPU, memory, and

basic controllers for the system.


Summary (continued) The motherboard also contains ports and expansion

slots. The central processing unit is the brains of the

computer. The computer is given instructions through computer

programs. The CPU has two main sections—the arithmetic logic

unit and the control unit.


Summary (continued) All calculations and comparisons take place in the

ALU. The control unit coordinates the CPU activities. The motherboard contains different types of

memory. Random access memory is volatile and is used to

store instructions, data, and information temporarily.


Summary (continued) Read-only memory is nonvolatile and is used to

store instructions, data, and information temporarily.

The machine cycle is made up of the instruction cycle and the execution cycle.

A controller is used to control the transfer of data between the computer and peripheral devices.

Peripheral devices are connected to the computer through serial and parallel ports.


Summary (continued) The Universal Serial Bus is a new standard expected

to replace serial and parallel ports. Expansion boards are used to connect specialized

peripheral devices or to add more memory to the computer.

The ASCII code is a standard code used to represent the alphabet, numbers, symbols, and punctuation marks.


Facebook Security


Investing


Millionaire – Sports?


Millionaire – More Reliable RouteDegree Amount Added Total

No High School 0 0

High School 1.1 Million 1.1 Million

Associate Degree 800,000 1.9 Million

Undergraduate Degree 1.6 Million 3.5 Million

Masters Degree 1.5 Million 5.0 Million

Doctorate Degree 4.8 Million 9.8 Million

U.S. – 20,000 Engineers

Japan – 80,000 Engineers


Final Thoughts Stuff doesn’t make you happy

High School Degree College Career Marriage Children

Who Do You Marry? Thanks for inviting me.

Documents

How a Computer Processes Data Computer Fundamentals