- Overview of Hardware.
- Components of Central Processing Unit (CPU).
- Types of Input Devices.
- Types of Output Devices.
- Computer hardware components
What is Hardware ?
Hardware of computer are those components that are physical in nature, i.e. they are tangible or can be physically touched. We know that a computer is used for various operations like complex mathematical calculations, storing, merging, retrieving information in a fast way but all these operations cannot be possible without hardware. The hardware can be installed inside and can even be attached to outside of a computer. Hardware components have several hardware devices or physical elements.
The various types of hardware connected to computers are as follows :
- Central Processing Unit.
- Memory.
- Input Devices.
- Output Devices.
- Communication or Network Devices.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) :
The ‘brain’ of any computer system is the CPU or the processor which has a built-in set of instructions to be implemented. These instructions define the capacity of the computer.
The CPU determines the overall performance of a computer. It calculates and compares as well as activates and controls the operations of all other units of a computer system.
Components of CPU :
1) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) :
The circuitry which carries out all arithmetic and logical calculations are contained in the Arithmetic unit.
i) Arithmetic Unit :
It performs all arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and also logical operations such as less than (<), equal to (=) and greater than (>) at very high speed. It is to be noted that arithmetic calculations are limited to additions only like multiplication is repeated addition, e.g, 2 x 3 is 2+2+2, i.e., 6. Similarly, for subtraction, adding the negative of the second number performs subtraction, e.g. x – y is same as x + (-y).
Also, division can be done by multiplying the inverse of a number, e.g., x/y. is same as xx I/y. This is the reason why most processors only have the add function.
ii) Logic Unit :
The Logic Unit helps the CPU in making logical decisions on the basis of instructions received. This is done by the process of logically comparing two data items and taking action accordingly based on the comparison results. In the development of computers, creation of machines that could make decisions was a defining moment, as it transformed the machine from being Just a calculator to one that can perform various tasks.
2) Control Unit (CU) :
The main task of the control unit is to transfer the data and instructions between the different parts of a computer. The control system converts every instruction to a series of control signals which assist in the operation of other parts of the computer.
The control unit is the heart of the CPU which controls the I/O devices and data transfer to and from the primary storage.
The individual instructions of programs stored in the primary storage controls the control unit. The instruction register is used for holding the current instruction and an instruction pointer is used.to hold address of the subsequent instruction. Every instruction is decoded and then implemented correctly which is ensured by the CPU. A parallel can be drawn between the working of the CPU and the traffic police. The control unit decides which action will take place next just like the traffic police which plans according to which road traffic will move or step along with their duration.
The control unit decides what data is required, where it is to be stored, where the results of the operation is to be stored and also send control signals to devices used in the implementation of the instructions. Thus, it monitors the movement of data and instructions in a proper sequence by the use of clock inputs.
3) Registers :
Registers are used to increase the speed of computing process. It is a special type of memory and manages all the processes satisfactory. Registers are the interval memory (inside the microprocessor), which get the information from the Random Access Memory (RAM) and perform the interval calculation and operation for the microprocessor.
4) Buses :
Buses are used to connect more than two devices. So it acts as a pathway and is able to connect the multiple devices. It is a shared transmission medium. For the CPU, bus act as an information highway.
Input Devices :
Input devices are those devices that are used to feed the data into computer. Currently in market, several types of input devices are present due to the advancement in computer technologies.
