operation of a computer
INTRODUCTION
Those who wish to enter into the operation of a computer, either by curiosity or professional reasons, often face the problem of lack of simple principles that allow these teams to visualize their main blocks, as involved in the processes and which also runs each.
When initially is clear about these basics, you get the ideal platform to start learning. Then the whole immediate description of the processes, technological elements and devices used in the technical field of computing, becomes more understandable. For this reason we decided to start this work by briefly explaining those concepts and terms that we are the gateway to fascinating universe.
Those who wish to enter into the operation of a computer, either by curiosity or professional reasons, often face the problem of lack of simple principles that allow these teams to visualize their main blocks, as involved in the processes and which also runs each.
When initially is clear about these basics, you get the ideal platform to start learning. Then the whole immediate description of the processes, technological elements and devices used in the technical field of computing, becomes more understandable. For this reason we decided to start this work by briefly explaining those concepts and terms that we are the gateway to fascinating universe.
What makes a computer?
Basically any computer performs data processing operations, then exposing them as information. Indeed, the primary function of a computer is to perform data processing automatically, at high speed without human intervention.
When the entries are sorted according to a logical scheme, become available to the user information. The acquisition of information from data is the important function of a computer being the Computer Science student of obtaining information through automated systems.
Fundamentally different types and models of computers, mainly differ in the amount of data that can be processed and the speed with which this operation is performed.
The black box principle
When a device or module is ready for a function, it is important to consider it as a "black box" that is not known to devices or components within him, but that process takes place. This method is used pedagogically to allow quick overall understanding of the function of the device studied. To make the task described above (data entry, process them and then output the information obtained), it takes three main modules in which we can group all the devices involved in these processes. These are:
• Module I / O
• Working memory
• Processing Unit
Introduction to data processing
A computer is made up of hundreds or thousands of complex electronic devices and properly integrated circuits, both in its physical components, such as the function thereof. Because of this, to understand its operation, the computer will divide into blocks without regard at this stage, details of the electronics that integrates each (method of explanation called "black box").
The first module "entry - exit", identified with the letters E / S, it is usually known by the English words Input-Output (I / O).
This module actually has two functions, has in some cases with individual devices that can only be considered as input (input) or output (output), while other devices allow you to run both operations (input-output).
Through the input units, entering data to be processed, as well as instructions (application software) used to treat them. Moreover, the information obtained (processed data) is emitted through the output units are those that allow "see the result."
The second module is "memory." When entering data, they are stored awaiting his trial in a "working memory" or also called "main memory" that is temporary (technically known as "RAM"). Also in the RAM are loaded application program instructions, which indicate to which transaction will be submitted input data. Similarly the data are processed and stored until they leave in the RAM.
Working memory (RAM) stores
Input data
The instructions for processing data
The processed data or erased until his departure
The third module is a description, is "Processor". This can be assimilated as the "brain" of the computer because it is responsible for processing the received data memory. The processor is the arithmetic logic unit, known as ALU (of Aritmetic Logic Unit). This unit is one that performs the calculation processes (mathematical routines applicable to the data input) and finally produces a result.
The order used for the explanation of the blocks, responds to the best interest of the descriptive process of its operation and not to the same hierarchy. Viewed in light of the importance in the processes that take place, the table below indicates the rank order of each of the blocks:
• Processor
• Memory
• Input / Output (Peripherals)
Clearly, these blocks do not work as isolated units, but necessarily going to be connected together to allow the flow of data and information from one to another. Routes or circuits that are responsible for communicating mutually collectively referred to as "buses" to exist as we shall see in detail below, various types of buses depending on the type of signal transport or the role.
Operation of the blocks
To clarify the operation of the aforementioned blocks, we can think of an analogy with an operation of all days is to cross the street. A pedestrian stops at the corner and the first thing is look at the traffic light to see that light is on, so you know if you can cross or not. If the light you see is green, crosses and gives end this simple operation.
If you break down the steps he made before this maneuver intuitively, we will be amazed to see how many factors involved.
Erroneously some publications and / or authors identify a "microprocessor" or "processor" with the name of CPU. CPU The acronym comes from the English words Central Process Unit (central processing unit), also indicated in some manuals in Castilian as UCP. This concept of a "central processing unit" is different from the concept of "processor" that we have seen before. To facilitate understanding of the topic, consider an example.
If a washing machine we have installed a microprocessor (another name for a processor) to control the different stages and processes of washing, in memory associated with it will be only the information recorded on the execution of these operations and processes. These instructions are stored in a memory called ROM, which is "permanent", ie not lose data when you stop supplying power to the system and it can not change the instructions contained therein. Unlike ROM, RAM of a computer is volatile rewritable (you can change the contents of memory, and that contentcleared at shutdown).Peripherals
The data and programs are entered into the CPU through the input devices, and are exposed through the output peripherals. The new scheme we have then, is shown in Figure 1.8.
General Introduction
Computer systems used before the advent of the PC (Personal Computer) based primarily on a large central computer is connected to which terminals usually consists of a screen and keyboard, called "stupid" because they worked only as a peripheral processed input and output data. Through these terminals, the user accessed the complex programs on the host computer.
Central or mainframe systems were based on a (usually large) located in an especially heated only had access to technical staff and managers of its programming, which were seen as "geniuses or gurus" by mysterious tasks to maintain their operation
With these systems, the user of the terminal could only use software that was available at the central computer. Often, this software was developed as the company where it was installed, and each of the changes that should occur in the same laborious procedures involved programming by specialist personnel.
Personal Computers
The constant progress of technology facilitated the emergence of new processors that are complex chips, manufactured by large corporations in the electronics industry, dedicated to data processing and arithmetic operations to be performed. These processors (also called microprocessors for its small size and high integration of components) are becoming smaller and more power and achieve faster data processing. From these teams, which really marked a real revolution was the so-called PC (Personal Computer or stands for Personal Computer in Castilian).
The PC had the technology to contain a CPU, and thus process and store their own, without help from any other central computer, all data that the user needed. Indeed, we found an increasing number of programs and applications developed to run on PCs that were previously only reserved for large centralized computers.
Developed a parallel software industry standard and mainly the so-called "canned" coming ready for the user to install on your PC and configure it to suit their needs without having to know the secrets of programming.
This made for the first time, the computers to access common applications and simple management of any business, trade or profession. This phenomenon, finally came through the PC with the emergence of the same in all human activities, mainly due to the following factors:
• Computers PC enormous processing power with affordable costs.
• The appearance of screen-based software-friendly, interactive and easy to use, such as programs designed for the Windows platform.
• Wide application development software for virtually all professional and commercial activities.
• The presence of all types of peripherals with high quality and affordable prices.
4 Classification of computers
This classification is based on the name that was given to computers according to parameters such as the technical development of hardware used, the speed and processing power and use applications. It's good to clarify that the classification criterion adopted is not rigid, as the boundaries between the two types are not always sufficiently clear. Based on these previous concepts, we define the following groups:
• Supercomputers• Mainframes• minicomputers• Microcomputers
Super computers
This is the most powerful computers that have been developed. All the processing power is derived from a single central unit, which uses hundreds of processors working in parallel.These features allow you to handle millions of requests simultaneously, so that teams are "multi".
The latter easily allows you to connect hundreds or thousands of computers acting as terminals. The data storage capacity of these devices is measured in terabytes, with a common value for your storage units (disks) from 5 to 30 Terabytes. To get an idea of this capability, we think that data equivalent to one byte and the following multiples are:
1 Kilobyte
1024 bytes
1 Megabyte
1024 Kilobytes
1 Gigabyte
1024 Megabyte
1 Terabyte
1024 Gigabytes
Given that a diskette 3 1 / 2 can store 1.44 megabytes, a terabyte is equivalent to almost one million of these diskettes. Supercomputers are used for scientific, military and development of major projects such as NASA's missions. A supercomputer was used for experimental purposes was the IBM Deep Blue, which achieved worldwide fame by defeating a series of games for the first time in history the great master and world chess champion Garry Kasparov.
Mainframes
Such computers are used in large corporate networks (large companies or institutions) with peculiarities such as "multi". A common use of mainframes is to maintain a large database, which is accessed by a significant amount of terminal equipment connected to them. Its typical capacity data storage is of the order of hundreds of Gigabytes.
Mini PCs
This type of equipment has multiple processors (usually 2 to 8) and are classified into three grades according to their capacity and processing power.
These devices are used mainly in small and medium enterprises and their application server used is the network (computers running a specific operating system and provide hardware and software resources to other computers connected to the network).These teams, which generally define as PC (Personal Computer or "Personal Computer") are the most widespread, as are used in both the commercial and professional as well as domestically. In fact, with the advent of peripherals such as modems, CDROM, DVD, TV tuner platelets, etc., computers became more an appliance.
The computers that were once aimed at professional or scientific computing, today have become essential equipment for personal development due to Internet access, games, education, etc..While the current PC present themselves a very high processing capacity, the information obtained and processed it can not be shared by any other PC immediately. To allow information from one PC to be shared instantly by another PC or PC group, they are connected to each other and called a "Network Computer" or "Computer Network". Through this system, you can share and exchange information, software or hardware resources such as a printer, which also allows for lower costs of equipment (such as a quality printer can be shared by multiple PCs).
The different physical ways to connect computers on a network, called "topology." The most common topologies are called:
• BUS• STAR• TOKEN RING.
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