Basic computer organization (part 1)

 

Basic computer organization (part 1)

Que. 1 What are the five basic functions performed by a computer?

Ans.  All computer systems perform the following five basic functions:

i)                  Inputtting

ii)                Storing

iii)             Processing

iv)             Outputting

v)                Controlling

Que. 2 Write the definition of basic organizations of a computer system.

Ans. * Functions performed by the input units:

i)                  It accepts instructions and data from the outside world.

ii)                It converts all these instructions and data in computer acceptable form by unit called input interfaces.

iii)             It supplies the converted instructions and data to the storage unit for further storage and further processing.

·       Functions of output unit:

i)                  It accepts the produced results, which are in coded form. We can’t understand the codes easily.

ii)                It converts these coded results to a human acceptable form. Unit is called output interfaces.

iii)             It converts the converted results to the outside world.

·       Storage unit:  A storage unit stores:

i)                  The data and instructions required for processing (receives from input unit).

ii)                Intermediate results of processing.

iii)             Final results of processing, before the system, release them to an output unit.

·       Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):  All ALUs are designed to perform four basic arithmetic operations (add, subtract, multiply and divide) and logic operations or comparisons such as less than, equal to or greater than.

·       Control Unit: It manages and coordinates the operation of all the other components. It obtains instructions from a program stored in main memory, interprets the instructions and issue signals to cause other units of the system to execute them.

·       CPU(Central Processing System):  Control unit and The arithmetic logic unit of a computer together form a central processing unit. It performs all major calculations and comparisons and also activates and controls the operations of other units of a computer system (Software + Hardware).

Que. 3 What is an input interface? How it differs from an output interface?

Ans. Input interface transforms input data and instructions into binary that are acceptable to the computer. But on the other hand, the output interface transforms information from binary form to human acceptable form.

Que. 4 How many types of storage a computer system normally use? Justify the need for each storage type?

Ans. The storage of a computer system is comprised of two types of storage:

i)                  Primary storage: It is also known as main memory. It is volatile i.e. It loses information in it as soon as the computer system switches off or resets. It is made up of semiconductor devices. Eg. : RAM (Random Access Memory).

ii)                Secondary storage: It is also known as auxiliary storage. It can retain information even when the computer system switches off or resets. Eg. : Pan drive. It has high storage capacity than primary storage.

iii)             Cache memory: It carries some data in advance which is required by RAM. Thus it helps to perform RAM faster.