, EST102 Programming in C
Module I
Basics of Computer Hardware and Software, Basics of Computer Architecture: processor, Memory, Input& Output
devices. Application Software & System software: Compilers, interpreters, High level and low level languages
Introduction to structured approach to programming, Flow chart , Algorithms, Pseudo code (bubble sort, linear
search - algorithms and pseudocode)
BASICS OF COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user
and processes these data under the control of a set of instructions (called program stored in
memory) and gives the result (output) and saves output for the future use.
Computer Architecture
The basic components of a modern digital computer are: Input Device, Output Device, Central
Processing Unit (CPU), and memory.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
CPU is the brain of the computer system. All major calculation and comparisons are made
inside the CPU and it is also responsible for activation and controlling the operation of other
units. This unit consists of two major components that are arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and
control unit (CU).
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Arithmetic logic unit performs all arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division. It also uses logic operation for comparison.
Control Unit (CU)
The control unit of a CPU controls the entire operation of the computer.
IIPE 1
Downloaded from Ktunotes.in
, EST102 Programming in C
It also controls all devices such as memory, input/output devices connected to the CPU.
Additionally, CPU also has a set of registers for temporary storage of data, instructions,
addresses and intermediate results of calculation
When the ALU, CU and the registers are all integrated on a single chip, it is called a
microprocessor thereby capturing the entire CPU on a single chip
Input /Output Unit
The input/output unit consists of devices used to transmit information between the
external world and computer memory. The information fed through the input unit is stored
in computer's memory for processing and the final result stored in memory can be
recorded or displayed on the output medium.
Examples for input devices: Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Joy Stick, Microphone,
OCR (Optical Character Reader), MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Reader)
Examples for output devices: Printer (Dot Matrix, Ink Jet, Laser, Line), Monitor
Memory Unit
The Memory unit refers to the area where instructions and data are stored in a
computer. The processor reads instructions and data from the memory, executes them and
writes the result back to it. Different forms of memory are used in a computer system.
They vary in their size, speed and location. Anything and everything in a computer is
stored in the form of bits known as binary language or machine language. 8 bits make up a
byte. The total number of bytes that a memory chip can hold at a time is termed as its size
or capacity. Information is stored and processed as a group of bytes, called computer word.
The word length is specific for each processor.
The Registers - Since the group of registers is in-built within the processor chip, they
are the fastest accessible units of memory by the processor. They are highly expensive
and hence are limited in number. Some registers are used to store data while some are
reserved to store address. There are some general purpose registers as well. Size of the
registers depends on the processor. Accumulator is a register found on all processors,
which is mainly used to store the operand of an arithmetic operation. Program
IIPE 2
Downloaded from Ktunotes.in
Module I
Basics of Computer Hardware and Software, Basics of Computer Architecture: processor, Memory, Input& Output
devices. Application Software & System software: Compilers, interpreters, High level and low level languages
Introduction to structured approach to programming, Flow chart , Algorithms, Pseudo code (bubble sort, linear
search - algorithms and pseudocode)
BASICS OF COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user
and processes these data under the control of a set of instructions (called program stored in
memory) and gives the result (output) and saves output for the future use.
Computer Architecture
The basic components of a modern digital computer are: Input Device, Output Device, Central
Processing Unit (CPU), and memory.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
CPU is the brain of the computer system. All major calculation and comparisons are made
inside the CPU and it is also responsible for activation and controlling the operation of other
units. This unit consists of two major components that are arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and
control unit (CU).
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Arithmetic logic unit performs all arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division. It also uses logic operation for comparison.
Control Unit (CU)
The control unit of a CPU controls the entire operation of the computer.
IIPE 1
Downloaded from Ktunotes.in
, EST102 Programming in C
It also controls all devices such as memory, input/output devices connected to the CPU.
Additionally, CPU also has a set of registers for temporary storage of data, instructions,
addresses and intermediate results of calculation
When the ALU, CU and the registers are all integrated on a single chip, it is called a
microprocessor thereby capturing the entire CPU on a single chip
Input /Output Unit
The input/output unit consists of devices used to transmit information between the
external world and computer memory. The information fed through the input unit is stored
in computer's memory for processing and the final result stored in memory can be
recorded or displayed on the output medium.
Examples for input devices: Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Joy Stick, Microphone,
OCR (Optical Character Reader), MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Reader)
Examples for output devices: Printer (Dot Matrix, Ink Jet, Laser, Line), Monitor
Memory Unit
The Memory unit refers to the area where instructions and data are stored in a
computer. The processor reads instructions and data from the memory, executes them and
writes the result back to it. Different forms of memory are used in a computer system.
They vary in their size, speed and location. Anything and everything in a computer is
stored in the form of bits known as binary language or machine language. 8 bits make up a
byte. The total number of bytes that a memory chip can hold at a time is termed as its size
or capacity. Information is stored and processed as a group of bytes, called computer word.
The word length is specific for each processor.
The Registers - Since the group of registers is in-built within the processor chip, they
are the fastest accessible units of memory by the processor. They are highly expensive
and hence are limited in number. Some registers are used to store data while some are
reserved to store address. There are some general purpose registers as well. Size of the
registers depends on the processor. Accumulator is a register found on all processors,
which is mainly used to store the operand of an arithmetic operation. Program
IIPE 2
Downloaded from Ktunotes.in
