Computer Studies Made Simple : Computer Architecture

Computer Architecture:

A computer is a combination of various components each of which perform different functions.

These components work together and communicate with each other.

The way in which these computers are connected with each other is called computer architecture.

Components of a computer:

Different components of a computer are as follows:

1.Control Unit:

Control unit is an important component of CPU.

It acts as a supervisor of computer and controls all activities of a computer.

It performs the following operations:

a.It carries instruction from main memory.

b.Interprets instruction to find what operation needs to be performed.

c.Controls execution of instruction.

2.Arithmetic Logic Unit:

This is a part of CPU.

In this part,actual execution of instructions takes place.

All arithmetic and logical operations are performed in ALU.

It consists of two units:

a.Arithmetic Unit:

This performs basic arithmetic functions like : Additio,subtraction,multiplication and division.

b.Logic Unit:

It performs logic operations like : comparing two data items to find which data is greater than equal to or less than the other.

3.Main Memory:

This is an important component of computer system.

It is used to store programme and data that are being executed.

It is also called as working area of a computer system.

4. I/O Unit:

I/O unit controls processor”s communicatiosn with peripheral devices such as monitor,disk drive and printer connected to the computer system.

5.BUS interconnection:

It is an important component of a computer system.

A computer system onsists of a CPU,Main memory and I/O Units.

These components have to be connected to transfer data from one component to another.

The use of buses to connect different components is known as Bus interconnection.