23-03-2012, 04:48 PM
BASIC STRUCTURE OF COMPUTERS
chapter 1 -Basic Structure of Computers [Read-Only] [Compatibility Mode].pdf (Size: 220.79 KB / Downloads: 39)
INFORMATION HANDLED BY A COMPUTER
Instructions/machine instructions
Govern the transfer of information within a computer
as well as between the computer and its I/O devices
Specify the arithmetic and logic operations to be
performed
Program
Data
Used as operands by the instructions
Source program
MEMORY UNIT
Store programs and data
Two classes of storage
Primary storage
Fast
Programs must be stored in memory while they are being
executed
Large number of semiconductor storage cells
Processed in words
Address
RAM and memory access time
Memory hierarchy – cache, main memory
Secondary storage – larger and cheaper
ARITHMETIC AND LOGIC UNIT (ALU)
Most computer operations are executed in ALU of the
processor.
Load the operands into memory – bring them to the
processor – perform operation in ALU – store the
result back to memory or retain in the processor.
Registers
Fast control of ALU