Lecture 1 - Basic Structure of Computer

Components of computer are:
          1. Input Components- common user-controlled devices such as keyboards, microphones, Webcams and scanners. 

                     2. Processing Components- 

                               * CPU: It is the computer's main processor. It is composed of two or more processors called cores. Multiple CPU is like a person with two brains. It enables to carry out multiple instructions simultaneously. it even results in better overall performance.

                    3. Output Components- The most obvious are monitors and printers. It also includes storage devices, network cards and speaker.

                    4. Storage Components- More the storage, better the performances. Most storage components are inputs and outputs devices. Two main categories are; Short-term storage and Long-term storage.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

                   - Short-term storage (Volatile)

                   - Also called as "Working Storage"

                   - Crucial to the computers capability to operate efficiently.

                   - CPU can only access data/code in RAM.

                   - If there is no enough RAM to run a program, the computer will use the disk drive to suppliment (virtual memory). 

Virtual Memory

                 - Part of disk storage can be set as virtual memory.                                  

                 - Less used data/code are placed in VM.

                 - Data/code needed by CPU are moved to RAM.

                                                                           


Long-Term Storage

              - Maintains its data even when there's no power (non-volatile)

              - Used to store documents and multimedia files.

              - Examples: Hard disk

                                  CDs/DVDs

                                  USB flash drives

              - Amount of storage a computer needs depends on the type and quantity of files to be stored.

Personal Computer Hardware

             - Four major PC components:

                                 1. Motherboard

                                 2. Hard drive

                                 3. RAM

                                 4. BIOS/CMOS

Computer Bus Fundamentals

     Bus: a collection of wires carrying signals from one place to another on the computer.

    There are buses between:

               CPU and RAM

               CPU and disk drives

               CPU and expansion slots

Types of Buses:

        1. Data Bus: Used to carry data signals from RAM to CPU and vice versa or from RAM to input/output devices vice versa.

        2. Address Bus: Used to carry signals where an input or output device is attached.

        3. Control Bus: Used to carry control signals from CPU to memory or port/interface.

Hard Drive Fundamentals

       - It is primary long-term storage component on your computer.

      - It consists of Magnetic disks called "platters" that store data in the form of magnetic pulses.

      - It stores the documents we use as well as the applications that open those documents and the OS our computer loads when it boots.

                              


                                                                                                                    

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