Basic
Computer
Course Teacher
Nazmun Nessa Organization
Moon Assistant
Professor
Learning
Objectives
◾ In this lecture you will learn about:
✔ Basic operations performed by all types of computer
systems
✔ Basic organization of a computer system
✔ Input unit and its functions
✔ Output unit and its functions
✔ Storage unit and its functions
✔ Types of storage used in a computer system
✔ Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
✔ Control Unit (CU)
✔ Central Processing Unit (CPU)
✔ Computer as a system
The Five Basic Operations of
a Computer System
◾ Inputting. The process of entering data and instructions
into the computer system
◾ Storing. Saving data and instructions to make them readily
available for initial or additional processing whenever required
◾ Processing. Performing arithmetic operations (add, subtract,
multiply, divide, etc.) or logical operations (comparisons
like equal to, less than, greater than, etc.) on data to
convert them into useful information
◾ Outputting. The process of producing useful information or
results
for the user such as a printed report or visual display
◾ Controlling. Directing the manner and sequence in which
all of the above operations are performed
Basic Organization of a
Computer System
Input Unit
An input unit of a computer system performs the
following functions:
① It accepts (or reads) instructions and data from outside
world
② It converts these instructions and data in computer
acceptable
form
③ It supplies the converted instructions and data to the
computer
system for further processing
Output Unit
An output unit of a computer system performs the
following
functions:
① It accepts the results produced by the computer, which are
in coded form and hence, cannot be easily understood by
us
② It converts these coded results to human acceptable
(readable) form
③ It supplies the converted results to outside world
Storage Unit
◾The storage unit of a computer
system holds (or stores) the
following :
① Data and instructions required for processing
(received from input devices)
② Intermediate results of processing
③ Final results of processing, before they are
released to an output device
Two Types of Storage
① Primary storage
◾ Used to hold running program instructions
◾ Used to hold data, intermediate results,
and results of ongoing processing of job(s)
◾ Fast in operation
◾ Small Capacity
◾ Expensive
◾ Volatile (looses data on power dissipation)
Two Types of Storage
②Secondary storage
◾ Used to hold stored program
instructions
◾ Used to hold data and information
of stored jobs
◾ Slower than primary storage
◾ Large Capacity
◾ Lot cheaper than primary storage
◾ Retains data even without power
Arithmetic Logic Unit
(ALU)
◾Arithmetic Logic Unit of a computer
system is the place where the actual
executions of instructions takes place
during processing operation
Control Unit
(CU)
◾ Control Unit of a computer system manages and coordinates
the operations of all other components of the computer system
◾ The control unit is a component of a computer's central
processing unit (CPU) that directs operation of the processor. It
controls communication and co-ordination between
input/output devices. It reads and interprets instructions and
determines the sequence for processing the data.
◾ It directs the operation of the other units by providing timing and
control signals.
◾ All computer resources are managed by the CU (Control Unit).
◾ It directs the flow of data between the Central Processing Unit
(CPU) and the other devices.
Central Processing Unit
(CPU)
◾It is the brain of a computer system
◾It is responsible for controlling the
operations of all other units of a computer
system
The System
Concept
◾ A system has following three characteristics:
① A system has more than one element
② All elements of a system are logically related
③ All elements of a system are controlled in a manner
to achieve the system goal
◾ A computer is a system as it comprises of
integrated components (input unit, output unit,
storage unit, and CPU) that work together to
perform the steps called for in the executing
program
Key Words/Phrases
◾ Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) ◾ Controlling
◾ Output interface ◾ Secondary
storage
◾ Auxiliary storage
◾ Input interface
◾ Output unit
◾ Storage unit
◾ Central Processing Unit
(CPU) ◾ Input unit
◾ Outputting ◾ Storing
◾ Computer system ◾ Inputting
◾ Primate storage ◾ System
◾ Control Unit (CU) ◾ Main memory
◾ Processing
