CONCEPT 4: HOW IT ALL WORKS TOGETHER The key is instructing the CPU what to do next.

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A COMPUTER Each block is a piece of hardware

'HI' - Interface with Human Operator

Screen
'HI'

Keyboard

Mouse

Printer

CD Rom *

RAM
Non-permanent storage The CPU decodes programs' instructions and performs all calculations

Floppy Disk *

CPU
Op code

Hard Disk *

Holds data and programs

CPU gets data from, and puts results into RAM Programs instruct the CPU which calculations or set of calculations to perform Programs instruct ( 'control' ) the CPU by providing different 'op codes' for the various different operations (calculations) they need done. The op code is like a key, 'setting' the CPU to work a certain way.

* Permanent or semi-permanent storage

2002 John Powis and Co. Ltd.

The CPU does everything - one thing at a time - millions of times a second. Speed is the magic ingredient.
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