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A Basic Guide to How A Computer Works
by Driz Memok
Over the last 20 years or so, computers have become a pillar of our society. Like other such pillars, most people don't know how they work despite the fact they are critical to our lives!
Computer is one of those grab all terms that covers a lot of devices. The simplest computers run basic things like clocks. On the other end of the spectrum, we have super computers that perform incredibly complex functions that are difficult to grasp. In this article, we are talking about neither of these. Instead, we are going to focus on your run of the mill personal computer.
A computer is not what most people think at first. At its root base, it is a machine that organizes numbers. The organization is done pursuant to instructions given to it. This back and forth is done through programs such as Windows. For the programs to work, however, there has to be a basic hardware platform. For your average computer, there are four parts - memory, a control unit, input/output devices and an ALU. Let's take a closer look.
Memory is perhaps the easiest subject for most people to grasp. After all, even novice users know about memory since it is usually included in the marketing material for computers. But what is memory? It is essentially a collection of tiny mailboxes. A program uses memory by placing numbers representing something in various mailboxes. The combination of numbers produces the desired results when the program runs. The program interprets the information for the CPU which cranks out the result.
The control unit is pivotal. It plays the role of reading the instructions issued by programs. As it reads the instructions, it directs different areas of the computer to take corresponding actions. It is hard to visualize, but basically this is the hub of everything going on.
The ALU is a unique area. ALU stands for arithmetic and logic unit. As the name suggests, it performs arithmetic and logic functions. In this case, we are basically talking about crunching numbers or following code commands to do something. ALU is a complex and confusing area, but this is the basic idea.
Input/Output devices are our fourth area. You can probably guess what these devices are. They are external devices that provide and receive information from the computer. They include things such as your mouse, keyboard, hard drive, printer and so on. As computers have become more complex, these devices often are now found to contain their own computers to process and perform functions. In this way, the average home pc is actually a collection of computers.
All of these sections work together to make a computer do what it does. They are connected through buses, the plastic wrapped flat wires you see in the interior of your computer or simple cords on the outside. As computers evolve, many output/input devices are now connected wirelessly.
About the Author
Driz Memok is with ComputerRepairServiceBusinesses.com - providing information on computer repairs.
Tina Turner Live at Birmingham NEC - Let's stay together
One of my favourite performances from the legend herself.
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