Hidalgo, Louella C.

N2-1

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The central processor (CPU) is the chip which acts as a control centre for all operations.
It executes instructions (a program) which are contained in the memory section.
Basic operations involve :
 the transfer of data between itself and the memory section
 manipulation of data in the memory section or stored internally
 the transfer of data between itself and input/output devices
The CPU is said to be the brains of any computer system. It provides all the timing and
control signals necessary to transfer data from one point to another in the system.

Computer Memory

Computer Memory are internal storage areas in the computer used to either temporarily or
permanently store data or instructions to be processed. There are four basic types of computer
memory: Cache Memory, RAM, Virtual Memory and Hard Drives. With modern CPU’s running
at speeds of 1 gigahertz or higher, it is hard for computer memory to keep up with the extreme
amount of data being processed.

Types of Computer Memory

1. Computer RAM:
- Computer RAM is the best known form of memory your computer uses. Every file or
application opened is placed in RAM. Any information the computer needs or uses
becomes part of a continuous cycle where the CPU requests data from RAM, processes it
and then writes new data back to RAM. This can happen millions of times a second.
However, this is usually just for temporary file storage, so unless the data is saved
somewhere, it is deleted when the files or applications are closed.

2. Hard Drive:
-A Hard Drive is a form of computer memory that allows you to permanently store data.
This is where all of your permanent files and programs are stored. On computers running
with Microsoft windows the Hard Drive is often called C-Drive. The size of a Hard Drive
is typically measured in gigabytes.

3. Virtual Memory:
-Virtual memory typically comes into place when applications are too large for the RAM
to handle. The operating System uses the hard drive to temporarily store information and
take it back when needed. This is normally a lot slower than actual RAM and can
possibly degrade performance if used to heavily.

4. Cache Memory:
-Cache Memory is used in-between the CPU and the RAM and holds the most frequently
used data or instructions to be processed. There are three different grades of Cache. Some
systems will only have level 1 and level 2. More advanced systems will include the level
3.

 Level 1 (L1) - Is the primary and is on or very close to the processor. This is used for
the most frequently used data and instructions.
 Level 2 (L2) - Is second closest to the CPU and is more common to be on the
motherboard. Depending on your motherboard it might be able to be updated. This is
used for the most frequently used data and instructions.
 Level 3 (L3) -   This is the most advanced cache and will speed up the memory even
further. This is used for the most frequently used data and instructions.
Input Devices
An input device is any device that is used to supply information to a computer. A few
examples of input devices are given below.

Keyboard
The most common input device is the keyboard, which is used both for text-based data input and
for selecting commands.
Keyboards usually have the following:
 Keys for the letters of the alphabet.
 Keys for punctuation symbols.
 Numbered keys or a numeric keypad (or both).
 Keys to move the typing cursor and other text controls, such as Tab, Insert, Delete,
Backspace, Enter, and so on.
 Keys which change the function of other keys, such as Shift, Caps Lock, Alt, and Ctrl.
 Function keys numbered from F1 to F12. The function of these keys is set by whichever
program is running.
Mouse
Computers are usually operated through a graphical user interface. This means that the user
selects a command from the computer's screen display by moving a pointer and clicking an icon.
A mouse is the device usually used to control the movement of the pointer on the screen.
 A mouse is used by moving it across a mouse mat or other flat surface. This moves a ball
on the bottom of the mouse. The movement of the ball sends a signal to the computer.
Software interprets this signal and performs an operation, such as moving a cursor or
drawing a line.
 A mouse has two or more buttons on top of it, the function of which depend upon the
software being used.
Trackball
 A trackball can be used as an alternative to a mouse. It has buttons, like a mouse, but the
pointer is moved using a rotating ball set into the top of the device (basically an upside-
down mouse).
 Some people find a trackball easier to use than a mouse. One advantage is that it does not
need a flat area to use it. For this reason, trackballs are sometimes included on laptop
computers.
Touch Pad
 A touch pad is another device for moving the pointer. In this case, you use your finger or
a pen-like instrument (or stylus) on a sensitive pad to move the screen pointer.
 Because a touch pad is flat and does not require the user to push down a specific key (as
with a keyboard) or grasp it (as with a mouse), it is often used as an input device for
people with particular disabilities. Touch pads are also used on laptops and palmtop
computers.
 Another form of touch pad is the graphics tablet. This enables the user to create an image
on the computer by drawing on the pad with a specially designed pen. Graphics tablets
are used by graphic design artists and for children's drawing software.
Light Pen
 A light pen is a hand-held device (very similar to a standard ballpoint pen) that has a
device at the tip, which either emits light or is light sensitive. The user is able to send
information to the computer by touching the pen onto certain areas of a specially
designed screen.
 Light pens are not widely used because they require a lot of arm movement, making them
tiring and uncomfortable to use.
 Possible uses include engineering production lines and science laboratories where dirt or
other environmental factors make the use of a keyboard or mouse impractical.
Joystick
 A joystick consists of a base and a stick perpendicular to the base. The stick can be
moved in any direction, enabling the user to move an object around the computer screen.
A joystick can perform a similar function to a mouse or trackball, but is only commonly
used for playing games.
Scanner
Scanners are input devices used to detect a pattern on paper (pictures or text) and then translate
the pattern into computer data.
  Hand-held scanners are dragged across the paper to scan it.
 Flatbed scanners have the paper placed on top of them, in a similar way to a photocopier.
These are more expensive than hand-held scanners but they are usually able to produce
higher resolution images.
 Companies needing to store paper records can transfer them to microfilm. A microfilm is
a series of page images, miniaturised onto 35mm film. Special scanners are available to
prepare and read microfilm using a computer.
 If a scanner is used to scan a page of text, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software
can be used to convert the scanned image into text data that can be edited using word
processing software.
Digital Cameras
 Digital cameras work in much the same way as normal cameras, except that the exposure
from the subject is recorded onto light sensitive diodes not photographic film. The image
is saved to a flash memory card (CompactFlash for example). Images can often be
printed directly to a printer or displayed on a television or can be transferred to a
computer (either by connecting the camera to a suitable port (such as a USB port) or by
inserting the memory card into a card reader.
 There are also devices to capture moving images. Web Cams can record low resolution
video images. High resolution digital video cameras are available, but are still quite
expensive. Some filmmakers are starting to record motion pictures entirely on digital
video.

Output Devices

Output devices are pieces of computer hardware that allow a computer system to
communicate information to a user or another system. This information can be in any form, and
includes sound, images, and even tactile experiences. Output devices can usually only be used to send
data from the computer.

Visual Display Units (VDU) or monitors

 Visual Display Units (VDU) or monitors are used to visually interface with the computer
and are similar in appearance to a television.
 Visual Display Units display images and text which are made up of small blocks of
coloured light called pixels. The resolution of the screen improves as the number of
pixels is increased. Most monitors have a 4:3 width to height ratio.
Printer
 You can print out information that is in the computer onto paper. By printing you create
what is known as a 'hard copy'.
There are different kinds of printers which vary in their speed and print quality.
 The two main types of printer are impact and non-impact.
 Impact Printers use a print head containing a number of metal pins which strike
an inked ribbon placed between the print head and the paper.
 Non-impact printers are much quieter than impact printers as their printing heads
do not strike the paper. Most non-impact printers produce dot-matrix patterns.
Several different technologies have been used to provide a variety of printers.

Speakers/Headphones
 Computers produce audio data that require output devices such as speakers and
headphones to deliver the sound to the user. Audio data is created by the computer and
then sent to the audio card, which is located in an expansion slot. The card translates the
data into audio signals, which are sent to the audio output device.

CD/DVD/Floppy Disc
 CD, DVD and floppy disc are output devices that can also be used as storage and input
devices. The computer sends data to the disc, where it is embedded and can be later
retrieved.
Compact disc, or CD, is an optical device that stores audio and visual data in a digital
format. Data is placed on the disc, using a laser writer that embeds the data into the disc's
coating.
Digital Versatile Disc, or DVD, is an optical device that stores visual data in a media
format. DVDs feature a dual coating system that allows audio and visual data to be
written at the same time by using a laser.
 Floppy disc is a magnetic storage device. A layer of magnetized material is placed within
a proactive plastic casing. The computer embeds the data into the magnetized material,
using a writing head.
Projector
 Projectors are display devices that project a computer created image. The computer
sends the image data to the video card which then sends the video image to the
projector. They are typically used for presentations or for viewing videos.
Plotter
 Plotters create a hard copy rendition of a digitally rendered design. The design is sent
to the plotter via a graphics card, and creates the design using a pen. Generally used
with engineering applications, plotters basically draw an image using a series of
straight lines.

Storage devices

A storage device is necessary for recording data. One of the most important tasks
performed by computers is storing data. Different types of devices are used to store data. The
data stored is stores in digital forms. There are three types of data storage, namely primary data
storage, secondary storage devices and tertiary storage devices. The classification of computer
storage devices is made based on the task performed by the device. The primary storage device is
commonly called random access memory, while the secondary storage device is the hard disk.
The tertiary storage devices are removable mass storage devices. While the amount of data
stored on the primary is less and is volatile in nature, while the secondary storage device have
better storage space and also is non volatile in nature.
PRIMARY COMPUTER STORAGE DEVICES

The primary storage devices for computers are actually a part of the computer's memory. We
have previously used the terms like RAM and ROM, but may not have know what they are
exactly. They are the Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM).

Random Access Memory

The Random Access Memory is used for storing information temporarily. When the computer is
switched off, the information on the RAM is wiped off. The access rate of RAM is much higher.
They are more expensive than the other types of primary storage devices.

Read Only Memory

It is used to permanently store data. Data can be stored on ROM, either when the computer is
been manufactured or by the computer user. However, the disadvantage of this type of memory
is that the data stored on ROM cannot be changed. The access rate necessary to get to the
memory is much lesser as compared to the access rate of the RAM. Unlike the RAM’s, ROM’s
are not expensive.

Secondary Computer Storage Devices

Most of the storage devices we are acquainted with come under this category. They are not a part
of the processor. People make use of these devices, so that the storage capacity of the computer
can be increased. Like the ROM, the secondary computer storage are also non volatile. The
information stored on the these devices is retained, even if the computer has been switched off.

Hard Drives
The hard drives are one of the most important of the secondary types of computer data storage
devices, the hard drive types. Data is stored on the hard drives in the digital format on the hard
drives. In the initial days of the computers, hard disks were like removable mass storage devices.
However, with time they started coming as a part of the central processing unit of the computer.
However, now there are external hard drives available as well.

Floppy Discs
This is a magnetic storage device, which is set in square plastic shell. They are available in
different sizes, like 8 inches, 5 ¼ inches and 3 ½ inches. In the initial days floppy discs were
very popular, however, with the advancements they got over shadowed by the other computer
storage devices.
Compact Discs
Previously compact discs (abbreviated as CD) were used only for recording and storing audio
files. Subsequently along with audio, video and other data is also stored on them. These discs can
store data for long time. The data is stored on the CDs in optical format. Backup can be stored on
the CDs.

Digital Versatile Disc

The format of storing data in the digital versatile discs (DVD) is similar to that of a compact
disc. The difference lies in the storage capacity. There is six times more storage space in the
DVD’s as compared to the CD’s. Like the CD’s, DVD’s are also used as backup device.

Flash Memory
With a lot of research came the flash memory. This storage devices for a computer is similar to
the read only memory. However, there is a big difference between the flash memory and the
ROM. Data from the flash memory can be erased in a matter of few seconds from the flash
drives, which is not the case with the ROM’s. At the same time, the data can be changed as per
the requirement.

Blu-ray Discs
Blu-rays discs are abbreviated as BD, are used for high definition video storage. It is often used
by gamers. Blu-ray discs are similar to the CD’s and DVD’s in their looks. It is the memory
space which makes all the difference between the CD’s, DVD’s and BD’s. Blu-ray disc is an
optical storage device.

USB Flash Drive

The USB flash drives consist of a NAND type flash memory. It has an integrated Universal
Serial Bus (USB) interface. They are non-volatile and data can be rewritten on them. They are
very small in size, but have very large memory space. There are some of the USB drives, where
1 million erase and write cycles can be carried out. On the other hand, some of them are known
to retain data for as long as 10 years.

Memory Cards
The next of the computer storage devices examples are the memory cards. Data is stored in
digital format on the memory cards. They can be used in various electronic devices from hand
held computers, mobile phones, cameras, etc. They are also rewritable. Although they are small
in size, they can store a high amount of data.

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