LECTURE NO 3
Basic Units of Computer
Computer hardware
Computer hardware refers to the physical or tangible parts of a computer.
Such as Monitor, keyboard, CPU, Hard disk etc…
Input devices
Input devices are external hardware components that are used to enter or accept data and
instructions into a computer.
Input devices
1) Mouse
2) Keyboard
3) Trackball
4) Joystick
5) Scanner
6) Touchscreen
7) Webcam
8) microphone
Output devices
Output devices are used to display output or give results of the processing instructions to the
user.
Output devices
1) Monitor
2) Printer
3) Speaker
4) Headphone
5) Projector
6) Touchscreen
7) Plotter
8) GPS ( global positioning system)
Monitors
Impact and non impact printers
Impact printers : works like a typewriter.
Prints characters and images by striking.
Using pins, hammers or wheels to strike the character or image.
Dot Matrix printer & Line printer
Non impact printers : prints characters and images without striking.
Use a spray ink, laser, or heat and pressure to execute their printing operations.
Inkjet printer & Laser printer
Computer memory
Computer memory is one of the most important and compulsory component of every
computer system.
Computer memory is used to store data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis for
use in a computer.
Units of memory
Following are basic memory measurement units :
Bit : also called binary digit. It is the basic unit of information in computing.
Bit is the smallest amount of memory a computer can recognize.
Bit can hold two values, either ‘0’ or ‘1’ .
Units of memory
Byte : byte is a unit of data that is eight (8) bits long.
Byte is the unit of, most computers use to represent a character such as an alphabet, a
number or a special symbol.
Example : A, h, @, # …..
Units of memory
Nibble : 1Nibble = 4 bits
Byte : 1 Byte = 8 bits
Kilobyte : 1KB = 1024Bytes
Megabyte : 1MB = 1024KB
Gigabyte : 1GB = 1024MB
Terabyte : 1TB = 1024GB
Types of memory
There are two basic types of memory :
1) Primary memory
2) Secondary memory
Volatile and non memory
Volatile memory : (temporary memory) : data and information is lost when the electric power
stopped or computer goes shut down.
Example : RAM
Non-volatile memory : (permanent memory) : data and information are not lost when the
electric power is stopped or computer goes shut down.
Example : ROM, HDD .
Primary memory
Also known as Main memory.
Primary memory is the component of the computer that holds data , programs and instructions
that are currently in use.
Data stored in primary memory can be directly access by the CPU.
Primary memory devices
Random access memory (RAM) : it is the short term memory of computer, where the data
that the processor is currently using is stored.
RAM is short term and volatile memory.
Read only memory (ROM) : ROM is non volatile memory.
ROM is a chip that stores information. Data in ROM can only be read.
It is long term memory.
ROM is also called embedded device.
RAM & ROM
Secondary memory
It is also called external storage.
Secondary storage is used to hold data or information permanently.
It is long term and non-volatile memory.
Secondary storage devices
Optical disk Magnetic disk Magnetic tape
Read and write data using laser Disk covered with a magnetic Used to capture speech and
beam. coating to hold information music.
CDs , DVDs & Blue-Ray Disk Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Sequential
Solid State Drive (SSD)
New generation persistent data storage device with no moving parts.
SSD stored data using flash based memory.
Flash memory
USB (universal serial bus) Flash memory card
Processing unit
Processing is performed by the central processing unit (CPU).
CPU is the brain of computer.
CPU controls all the operations of the computer.
CPU executes instructions, controls the storage of data, input
and output activities and functions of different devices attached.
Components of CPU
1) ALU (arithmetic logic unit) : it performs arithmetic and logic operations on data. Such as
( addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and
logical operations : comparison between two data items.
Components of CPU
1. CU (control unit) : it controls all the hardware operations on computer, like
input/output, storage.
It controls the task or program or instruction that are in progress, and
control what type of task it can perform and when it is perform.
It responds, based on the instruction given.
Cache memory
Volatile and internal memory.
Small amount of fast memory located between RAM and processor.
Designed to speed up the transfer of data and instructions.
Frequently used data are stored in cache.
Registers
Small high speed memory available in the CPU.
Used to store data temporarily.
Data is stored in registers from main memory for executions.
The Motherboard
Main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer.
Motherboard is a computer central communication backbone connectivity point, through
which all components and external peripherals connect.
Peripheral devices
External devices that connects to a computer to expand its capabilities.
Power supply
Power supply converts electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and
frequency to power the load.
System Clock
Internal timing device (System timer).
Operations within a CPU.
Speed
Machine cycle :
1. Fetch
2. Decode
3. execute
Expansion slots
Expand the capabilities of your computer.
Add new functionalities to your system.
Ports and connectors
