BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

Computer Applications-I (CA-1201)

Mid Assignment
BA/BSc (Hons) 2019-2023
2nd Semester

Term Paper Title

Submitted to
Miss Asma
Department of Computer Science
GC University, Lahore

Submitted by
Umm-e-Rubab
702-BH-PHY-2019
juttrubab42@gmail.com

Assignment topic
Computer organization

Term Paper Submission

ON 26th JULY, 2020.

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 BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

Table of Contents

What is Computer? ......................................................................................................................... 3

Applications of Computer: .......................................................................................................... 3
Difference From The Computer Architecture............................................................................. 4
Structure and Function .................................................................................................................... 5
Basic Functions of the Computer System ...................................................................................... 5
Structure of the Computer System: ............................................................................................... 10
Input Unit: ................................................................................................................................. 10
Output Unit: .............................................................................................................................. 11
System Unit:.............................................................................................................................. 12
Central Processing Unit: ............................................................................................................... 13
Parts of CPU: ............................................................................................................................ 13
1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit:......................................................................................... 13
2. Control Unit: ............................................................................................................... 14
Memory/ Storage Unit: ................................................................................................................. 16
RAM: ........................................................................................................................................ 17
ROM: ........................................................................................................................................ 17
Data movement by System Bus: ................................................................................................... 17
Data bus: ................................................................................................................................... 18
Address bus: .............................................................................................................................. 18
Control bus:............................................................................................................................... 18
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................. 19

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 BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

Today, we can find computers almost everywhere. Microwaves, automobiles, wristwatches and
even thermostats contain computer chips. In facts, computers are so common in modern society
that everyone is taking advantage from it to some extent.

What is Computer?
A computer is an electronic device that processes data1 and converts into information2. It is a
machine that processes calculations and performs different operations based on the instructions
given to it in the form of software and hardware program. Simply it runs programs, which
processes data and performs tasks based on the instructions contained in the program.
It can process data with little assistance. It processes data in the form of binary number .i.e. 0 and
1. But, it can take data in various types like alphanumeric, numeric, etc. Simply, it is just a data
processing machine.

Data

Processing

Information
Figure 1.Basic Working of Computer

Applications of Computer:
Some examples of computer applications are as follows:

 Controlling space flight

 Landing airplanes
 Tracking inventory
 Printing books
 Turning on lights at the specified time
 Checking out groceries at the counter
 In banking and financial companies

In fact, everywhere we can find its applications at many places.

1
Collection of raw facts and figures
2
Organized form of data

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What is Computer Organization?

Computer organization is the way the computers specifically computer hardware is structured
or organized and what is its behavior overall. It refers to the operational units and their
interconnections .e.g. the hardware details that are transparent to the programmer. Organization
of computer system is the method of real (practical) implementation that results in attainment of
architectural specifications of a computer system.

It refers to the level of abstraction below the

operating system level but above the digital level.
Some attributes including hardware details that
come in the organization of computer are as
follows:

 Controlling signals
 Interfaces between computer and the
peripherals3
 Memory technology

Difference from the Computer Architecture

Figure 2/Computer Organization
This is the term that often gets confused with
the computer organization. We cannot exactly define them but there is a difference between
them. Computer architecture refers to those attributes of the system visible to a programmer or
can also say, those attributes that have a direct impact on the logical execution of the program.
Some organizational attributes are as follows:.

 Number of bits
 Instruction sets
 Addressing memory tactics
 Input and output mechanisms

In more general language, Architecture of computer system can be considered as a list of

tools available for any operator using the system, while Organization will be the way the system
is structured so that all those listed or cataloged tools can be used, and that in an efficient
fashion. So, in defining in the general terms,

“Computer organization and architecture is the study of internal working,

structuring and the implementation of a computer system.”

3
Combination of input and output devices .e.g. Modem, Joystick, Speaker

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For example, it is an architectural design issue whether a computer will have a multiple
instruction. But it is a organizational design issue which unit of hardware will perform that
instruction whether it will be a special unit or a unit that makes repeated implementations of the
instructions and what type of the hardware will perform it.

As we have different types of computer so in a class of computer named microcomputers,

the relationship between organization and architecture is very close. Technology has changed
very much and it not only influences the organization but also results in the introduction of more
complex and more powerful architectures. Thus, there is a more interplay between organization
and architectural design decisions. Our main focus here is computer organization but I wrote
about computer architecture as well because they are interrelated. Before going into the topic, the
brief examination of computer architecture was needed because a computer organization must be
designed to implement the particular architectural specification.

Structure and Function

A computer is a complex system; contemporary computer contains millions of the electronic
components. The only way to recognize them is to recognize the hierarchical 4 nature of the most
complex systems, including the computers. A hierarchical system is a system that is a set of
interrelated subsystems, each subsystem in turn, is hierarchical in structure until we reach some
lowest level of the subsystem.

The designer need only deal with a particular level of the system. At each level, the system
contains a set of components and interrelationships. We need to determine the two things at each
level that are:
1. Structure: The way in which components are related in the computer system
2. Function: The operation of each individual component as a part of the structure
Same for computer, we will be analyzing both the structure and function of the computer
hierarchical system.

Basic Functions of the Computer System

Both the computer structure and functioning of the computer are, in essence, simple. In the
general terms, the computer performs the following five major functions:

1. Data inputting
2. Data processing
3. Data storing

4
A hierarchical arrangement is that in which items are arranged as order of rank (the first one that is the top person
or thing) Examples are computer system, human body, political systems.

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 BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

4. Outputting
5. Controlling data

Here is a flowchart showing the basic functions of the computer in figure 3:

Figure 3/ Basic Operations of Computer

Now we will look at what these basic functions exactly mean independently.

1. Data Inputting:
Any data that is sent to a computer for processing is considered as input. Input is given to the
computer using the input device. Some examples of input device are Keyboard, Microphone,
scanner, etc. Below is the illustration of the picture showing the function of inputting with the
help of keyboard.

\
Figure 4/ Data Inputting

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 BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

In a simpler way, entering data into the computer by the user is inputting Some input can be
accessed by the computer automatically for processing. Like the microphones, the speaker just
speaks and data enters into computer by the voice signals and we use the bar codes here.
Similarly, the data can also be entered by the motions to on screen action.

2. Data Storing:
Saving data and instructions to make them readily available for initial or additional
processing whenever required. Even if the computer is processing data on the fly, the computer
must temporarily store at least those pieces of data that are being worked on at any given
moment. Thus, there is at least a short-term data storage function.

Figure 5/ Random Access Memory

Equally important, the computer performs a long-term data storage function. Files of data are
stored on the computer for subsequent retrieval and update. The memory of the computer also
known as RAM which is an abbreviation of the word random access memory. Whenever we
work on the computer the computer data stores in memory temporarily. Technically speaking,
the computer memory is the platform where the instructions execute, the processor or CPU does
its work, and the temporary info stores while its being worked on.

This data will remove from the computer if the computer power cuts down or system turn
off. So for permanent storage of the data, we must save it permanently in the computer hard disk
that is the permanent storage area of the computer.

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 BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

3. Data Processing:
Processes data as required by the user. This is done according to the program or instructions
given to them. It is done by using processor which is CPU5. It will be performing arithmetic
calculations on the data to convert them into useful information. Data may take a wide variety of
forms, and the range of processing requirements is broad.

Below is the illustration of the picture showing the processing function of the computer:

Figure 6/ Example of Data Processing

4. Data Outputting:
The process of producing useful information or results for the user such as a printed report
or visual display. It is done by using output devices such as printer, Moniter screen, Speaker,
Printer, etc. The figure shows how it is displayed on the screen as output .

5. Data Controlling:
Directing the manner and sequence in which all of the above operations are performed.
Within the computer, a control unit manages the computer’s resources and orchestrates the
performance of its functional parts in response to instructions. [1]

5
The central processing unit of the computer also called “computer brain” that controls all the other units of the
computer

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 BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

The preceding discussion may seem absurdly generalized. It is certainly possible, even at a top
level of computer structure, to differentiate a variety of functions :

There is remarkably little shaping of computer structure to fit the function to be

performed. At the root of this lies the general-purpose nature of computers, in which
all the functional specialization occurs at the time of programming and not at the
time of design. [2]

Figure 7/ Basic Functioning of the Computer

The figure shows the block diagram of the computer that through which units our input passes to
convert into information or in the form of the output.

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Structure of the Computer System:

We now look at the internal structure of the computer.to perform all the all above mentioned
functions or operations , the computer is divided into two to three units. These are :

 Central processing unit

 Memory unit
 Input / Output unit

Input Unit:

Input unit of a computer system consists of input devices only. Due to diverse nature of
the data, varieties of input devices exist to input data in different forms .e.g. keyboard, mouse,
microphone, scanner, etc.

Input unit may contain all of the devices mentioned above and even can have many
others. For us, it was difficult to name all the input devices separately. So, we introduced the
generalized term for mentioning all the input devices and that term is input unit. The main
function of input unit is to give commands and the instructions to the computer by the use of
input devices. A computer must have at least one input device like keyboard to be able to start
work.

Examples of Input devices and their functions:

Joystick:
It is a pointing device used for games, computer aided designs or simulations. It is like a lever
that moves in all directions and controls the movement of pointer in the screen. It is just like a
mouse.

Keyboard:
It is used for entering the textual data into the computer.

Trackball:
It is also a pointing device that works like a mouse. It has a ball on it. To control the movement
of pointer on the screen, you move the ball with your palm.

Scanner:
It is a device that is capable to convert the hard copy to soft copy. It interprets all the information
present on the piece of paper and stores it in the computer where we can see it like a graphic
image and not in the form of text.

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 BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

Microphone:
It is used to enter audio data into the computer. This device can easily be plugged into the
system.

Figure 8/ Some examples of Input Devices

Output Unit:

Output unit of a computer system consists of output devices only. It is also a generalized term of
for all the output devices for the sake of our convenience. Its main function is to generate output
data which has been processed. As data presented to user can take variety of forms, therefore
different output devices are attached to computer. A computer must have the at least moniter to
be able to work.

Some Examples of Output devices and their functions:

Monitor:
It is called a screen or display. You look at your computer whether you are typing, watching a
movie, playing games, issuing commands and surfing on the internet. The quality of the image
you see the screen depends on the resolution of the screen which refers to the number of pixels
on the screen.

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 BASIC COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

Printer:
It is a device that produces hardcopy on the paper. It is commonly used in the business purposes
to get the documents printed on the paper. It has two main types:
Impact and Non-Impact printers

Speaker:
Its functioning is to produce the audio output that can be heard by the listener. There are some
speaker that can be attached to any system with audio files depending upon the lead of the
speaker. [3]

Figure 9/ Some Examples of Output Devices

System Unit:
System unit contains a number of other components which are enclosed in a rectangular
casing .i.e. vertical and horizontal casing. Its most important part is the Motherboard. All other
component are attached or connected with it. It has the basic components are called
CPU( Central Processing Unit).

Figure 10/ Vertical Casing of System Unit Figure 11/ Horizontal Casing of System Unit

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Central Processing Unit:

It is generally referred to as the brain of the computer. The main work of CPU is to
convert data from input. Process the data and output in useful information that can either be used
by a user or the other computer programs.. CPU is a highly set of circuitry that is used to
executing program instructions. It is like a really fast calculator that is used has the ability to
recall numbers from various locations in memory, perform arithmetic and logical operations with
them, such as addition or multiplication, and then store the results we got from this.

Parts of CPU:

All computers must have a central processing unit. A computer cannot work without it. It
has further some parts. Each part has a specific function.

1. Arithmetic and logic unit:

2. Control Unit

1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit:

The arithmetic and logic unit consists of all the electronic circuitry that is used to perform all the
arithmetic and logical operations. The ALU is further divided into two parts:

 Arithmetic unit
 Logic unit

Arithmetic Unit:
It performs all the arithmetic operations of the computer. These are:

o Addition
o Subtraction
o Multiplication
o Division

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Logic Unit:
It performs all the logical operations of the computer. A logical operation is usually a
comparison of the numbers, letters, or special characters. The computer can take action based on
the result of the comparison. This is very important capability. It is by comparing that a computer
is able to tell, for example, whether there are available seats, whether mobile phone customers
have exceeded their pre-paid credit limits etc.

Logical operation can test for three conditions:

 Equal to condition:

The arithmetic and logic unit compare two values to determine of they are equal. For example, if
the number of tickets sold is equal to the number of seats in the hall, then no more seats are
available.

 Less than condition:

The computer compares two values if one value is less than other. If a person has worked less
than 35 hours in the week then some fine will be deducted from the salary.

 Greater than condition:

The computer compares two values if one value is greater than the other. If a person has worked
greater than 40 hours in the week then he will be given some bonus or extra money in the salary.

2. Control Unit:

The control unit consists of circuitry that generates signals to direct the computer system to
carry out or execute the programs. The control unit does not execute the program instructions
rather, it directs other parts of computer to do so. The control unit must communicate with the
arithmetic and logic unit, memory and other parts of the computer system.

It also controls the flow of information through the processor , and coordinates the activities
of the other units. This unit also provides clock pulses. Clock pulses are used to regulate and
control the speed of all operations.

` In addition to ALU and CU, the processor has a number of storage locations to store
information that is currently being processed. These are called Registers.
These are temporary storage area for instructions or data. Registers are managed by the control
unit to accept, hold, and transfer instructions or data and perform arithmetic and logic operations
at great speed. [4]

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Figure 12/ The Computer Structure

This figure illustrates the basic components of Computers and then shows the basic components
of the central processing unit.

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Memory/ Storage Unit:

Computer storage is also known as computer memory. Computer memory is used to store
programs and instructions. There are two types of memory:

1. Main storage or main memory

2. Secondary storage or secondary memory

But we will mostly discuss the main memory here. It has two types which are RAM and
ROM. Main memory or primary memory is accessible directly by the processing unit. Digital
computers are stored program computers that means a program to be executed is first loaded in
the memory and then instructions are executed one by one. The data and results of calculations
are also stored in the computer. In this sence, main memory is the working area of the computer.
It is very fast but limited in capacity. . You can store or retrieve your data much faster with main
memory as compared to the secondary memory. The reason is that it is present on the
motherboard.

A computer cannot work without having some kind of main memory.

Figure 13/ Computer Storage

Most general purpose computers have the capacity of storing millions of characters. It consists of
thousands of millions of cells that are capable of storing data in bits of 0 and 1.

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Main memory has these features:

 Expensive
 Small capacity
 Directly connected to the processor
 Fast access

RAM:
It is an example of main memory. As soon as the computer is switched off, the contents
of the main memory are lost. Data and instructions are stored temporarily in it. It takes the same
amount of time to access any location in RAM. CPU can perform two types of functions on
random access memory. These are READ and WRITE. During read operation, the contents of
memory locations are copied to the CPU register. While during write operation, the contents of
the CPU register are copied to the memory location. The CPU cannot perform any other
operations on the RAM. Its types are: SRAM, DRAM

ROM:
As it is obvious from the name, the contents of rom can be read but new data cannot be
written on it. So , it is called read only memory. The manufacturer of ROM writes the data and
instructions permanently into it and this data cannot be changed afterwards. Rom is used to save
frequently used data and instructions. Its types are: PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM

Data movement by System Bus:

The most important function is to transfer the data from one part to other different parts of
the CPU. This is done in computer by using a device called a BUS. A bus is a set of
communication lines or wires. It is used to move large amount of bits in the form of electrical
pulses from a specified source to a specified destination. The bus is used to connect the
following units:

 Central processing unit

o Arithmetic Unit
o Control Unit
 Main memory ( RAM, ROM )
 Input /Output devices

Here is the typical diagram that illustrates the types of system buses and its working in the
computer.

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Figure 14/ System Bus in the typical Computer

Data bus:
A data bus carries data. It is asset of parallel group of lines. It is the most common bus of the
computer. It is an electrical path that connects the central processing unit, memory and the input /
output devices and secondary storage devices.

Address bus:
An address bus carries address information. It is a set of wires similar to the data bus but it only
connects the central processing unit and the memory. Whenever, the processor needs the data
from the memory, it places the address of the data on the address bus. The data is carried to the
memory where the requested data is placed in the data bus.

Control bus:
The control bus carries control information from the control unit to the other units. It is used for
directing the activities of all the other units.
The CPU places the required request on the control bus and also places the address on the
address bus. the memory unit reads the command and places the data on the data bus. This is
how the data movement takes place and all the units are connected together.

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Links to Images (Above):

Figure 1.Basic Working of Computer ............................................................................................. 3

Figure 2/Computer Organization .................................................................................................... 4
Figure 3/ Basic Operations of Computer ........................................................................................ 6
Figure 4/ Data Inputting .................................................................................................................. 6
Figure 5/ Random Access Memory ................................................................................................ 7
Figure 6/ Example of Data Processing............................................................................................ 8
Figure 7/ Basic Functioning of the Computer................................................................................. 9
Figure 8/ Some examples of Input Devices .................................................................................. 11
Figure 9/ Some Examples of Output Devices ............................................................................... 12
Figure 10/ Vertical Casing of System Unit……………………………………………………...12
Figure 11/ Horizontal Casing of System Unit............................................................................... 12
Figure 12/ The Computer Structure .............................................................................................. 15
Figure 13/ Computer Storage ........................................................................................................ 16
Figure 14/ System Bus in the typical Computer ........................................................................... 18

Bibliography

[1] J. David, Computer organization and Design, First Edition.

[2] W. Stallings, Computer Organization And Architecture, Tenth Edition.
[3] S. Vaishampayan, Computer for Nursing, First Edition.
[4] M. M. Baig, Introduction to Computer Science, 2015.
[5] https://www.ukessays.com/essays/computer-science/input-output-devices-computer-
4976.php?vref=1
[6] https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/4-basic-functions-computer-system
[7] http://blog.cfpunjab.com/chapter-functioning-of-computer-small-questions
[8] https://www.backblaze.com/blog/whats-diff-ram-vs-storage
[9] https://www.tutorialandexample.com/block-diagram-of-a-computer

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