Table of Contents
introduction............................................................................................................1
4 functions............................................................................................................ 2
memory........................................................................................................... 2
processing...................................................................................................... 4
input..................................................................................................................4
output...............................................................................................................
introduction~~
Why is it important to know how a computer
works? Easy, if you don't, it will be hard to control. Computers
were never built to control us even though that is how it appears. Their
creation was just another tool God gave man to use to benefit society.
What can you do to learn more about computers? I have an easy
answer. Just read, and use computers more. They are not that hard
and with time you too can become the master over this tool.
Computers, the ones we know and love have not
been around all that long. The first home personal computer was not sold
until 1977. We have
come a long way since then. Did you know that in 1983 there were approximately 2
million personal computers in use in the United States. However
just 10 years later in 1993 the number had jumped to more than 90 million.
And now the number is in the hundreds of millions.
Computers, today are small, fast, reliable, and
extremely useful. Back in 1977 that really was not the case.
However, they both operated in basically the same way. They both receive
data, stored data, processed data, and then output data similar the the way our
own brain functions. This article deals with those 4 functions: Memory, Processing,
Input, and Output.
1.Memory
o
Lets look at computer memory
first. The function of storage in a computer comes in many different
sizes, types and shapes. However there are two basic categories: short-term and long-term. A typical computer
contains numerous types of memory including RAM, ROM, virtual, cache, and various long-term storage devices. Each type of
computer memory serves a specific function and purpose.
o Computer memory is measured in bytes. A
single byte is made up of a series of 1's and 0's normally
traveling in pairs of eight. These eight 0's and 1's are the way the
computer communicates and stores information. With each keystroke or
character a byte of
memory is used. In another article you will learn more about bits and how
the computer thinks.
·
ROM
ROM, or read-only memory is permanent,
long-term, nonvolatile memory.
Nonvolatile means is doesn't disappear when the computer is shut off. It also
can not be erased or changed in anyway. However there are types of ROM
called PROM that can be altered. The P stands for programmable.
ROM's purpose is to store the basic input/output system (BIOS) that controls
the start-up, or boot process.
·
RAM
RAM, or random-access memory unlike ROM
works only when the computer is turned on. This memory is vital to the computer because it
controls the moment by moment processes of the computer. The first thing that goes
into RAM is the OS (operating system) which is most cases is Windows 95. Next for the RAM
might be a game, or the Internet browser, or some type of software that you
want to use.
Early personal
computer only needed about 64K of RAM. Today that number is drastically
higher. With photos, sounds, and even movies going into RAM, the amount
need is now in the millions. The computer I am currently using has 80 MB
or 80,000K of RAM.
Multitasking has
put more demand on RAM in the past few years. Multitasking is the ability
to run more than one program at the same time. For instance,
many people like to run Netscape Communicator along with their word processing
software. This means you need lots of RAM to hold both programs.Other types of temporary memory
are cache (pronounced
"cash") and virtual memory. Both of these types of
memory supplement the computer's primary RAM and perform the same function as
RAM.
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·
Storage
Devices:
RAM and
ROM may be very important parts of the computer; however, without storage
devices like hard drives and disk drives your computer would not be near as
useful.
Here are
the most common forms of Storage Devices found on your home computer:Thumb Drive or Memory StickA device that in 1998 IBM introduced and has caught on very quickly as a great portable storage device. It quickly replaced the floppy disk. This small device is extremely reliable and fits in the USB port on your computer. It come in sizes ranging from 1 GB to 64 GB in size.
·
Hard disk
(drive) or HD
A stack of round metal platters called disks encased
in a metal air tight shell. They commonly range in sizes from 60 to
500 gigabytes (1000MB=1GB). The hard drive's function is to store all the
files, and software the computer will ever use. Any file or software
program used by RAM most likely will come from the disk drive
·
CD-ROM
(Compact disk, read-only memory)
CD's function much like hard drive in that they
store large amounts of memory. What separates them is their mobility and
optical storage technology. Their storage capacity is also very limited
compared to hard drives. The can only hold up to approximately 650 MB of
information. The other big difference is that you have to have a special
drive to write to CD's. Otherwise they can only be read from.
·
DVD-ROM
(digital video disk, read-only memory)
DVD's are similar to CD in that they are written
and read by laser. Hard drives use magnetic currents store data.
However CD's and DVD's use light (laser) to write and read data on a
disk. These long and short pits are then stored or etched on the surface
of the disk. They can only be read by laser technology. The new DVD
technology increased the amount of memory a regular CD can hold. DVD's
can range in sizes
from 4.34GB (1000MB=1GB) to 7.95GB.
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2.Processing
o
If someone had to find
the brains of the
computer they would most certainly say its the microprocessor. The microprocessor is often referred to as
the CPU (Central
processing unit). The microprocessor is a chip the size of a postage stamp. The processor is the one part of the computer that is
most important to the computer. The microprocessor controls how data is
sorted and directs the flow of data.
o To a great extent a computer is defined by the
power of its microprocessor. Chips with higher processing speed and more
recent design offer the greatest performance and access to new
technologies. Most microprocessors made for PCs are made by Intel or by companies that clone
Intel chips, such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Cyrix.
o The early Intel chip came in models called 286,
386, and 486. The 586 chip
was given the name Pentium.
The series of Pentiums were given the following names: Pentium Pro, Pentium with MMX, and Pentium II. The newer processors
hold more transistors and thus more computing power on a single chip.
3.Input
o
One of the best features of a
computer is the ability to give the computer commands and feed it
information. Without an input device this would not be possible.
o
Input devices can be built into the computer, like
the keyboard in a laptop, or it can be connected to the computer by a
cable. The most common input device is the keyboard.
o There are lots of others such as: mice, trackballs, touch pads, touch screens, pens, joysticks, scanners, bar code readers, video and digital cameras, and microphones. In addition,
storage devices such as disk drives can serve as input devices.
o Input is important but equally important is the
ability to read what the computer is doing. The computer output devices
are used to serve the user.
o The most
common output device is the monitor,
or screen. However
most computer come with speakers and
a printer which are
excellent output device
o s.
Storage devices such as disk drives and diskettes also serve as output
devices when it is necessary to write new or updated data files to disk or
tape.
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