The Central

Processing Unit

This part of the computer system

collects the raw data from the input
devices and converts it to useful
information which can then be
used by the output devices.
Parts of the CPU

 Control Unit (CU)

 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
 Main Memory (RAM)/Immediate Access
Storage
Control Unit - (CU)
 This unit gives instructions to the arithmetic-logic
unit, primary storage unit, and to data entry/data
exit devices.
 It monitors and supervises the system and
communicates with the computer operator.
 The Control Unit is connected to a clock (a piece
of crystal that 'ticks' very fast) and it issues a
command at each 'tick' of the clock.
 In 2002 a fast microcomputer has a clock speed
of 1.8 GHz (gigahertz) - this means that the
control unit can issue about 1.8 billion
instructions in a second ... every second.
Arithmetic-Logic Unit - (ALU)

 The part of the microprocessor or central

processing unit that contains the wiring
for mathematics and comparisons.
 This unit performs addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division.
 It also manipulates data by sorting,
collating, and comparing.
 It can also serve as a temporary storage
for data.
Primary Storage Unit
Immediate Access Storage
 This unit receives and stores instructions in
the form of programs.
 It receives and stores data for later
processing.
 It also receives processed data from the
arithmetic logic unit.
 The more memory the CPU has - the more
programs it can run at the same time; and
the more data it can deal with in one go.
Main Memory
 The main memory is usually temporary (or
volatile) memory i.e. it forgets when the
computer is switched off.
 Immediate Access Storage (IAS) - Another name
for is main storage, random access is a feature
of main storage.
 Random Access Memory is a type of memory.
So be careful with your choice of words. Random
Access Memory (RAM) - Sometimes called
temporary memory/ main memory/ or even
volatile memory component of a computer,
where programs and data are stored.
Sometimes called read-write memory.
OTHER TYPES OF
MEMORY

Secondary Memory/Backing store

Read Only Memory
Backing Store/ Secondary
Storage Memory
 The long-term memory or backing store is
usually magnetic disc or magnetic tape,
information stored is transferred to and from
the main memory before and after
processing.
 The backing store holds a lot more than
main memory.
 It is permanent (does not forget when the
computer is switched off).
 ROM - Read Only Memory
 Integrated circuit contains the operating
system which is a program permanently
wired into the chip.
 It directs its CPU to do all of its various
functions.
 It is through the ROM that the computer can
understand program instructions written in
BASIC. ROM can interpret BASIC
statements and translate them into the
machine’s own internal language.
ROM - Read Only Memory
 Each computer is also outfitted with
permanent routines which are placed in ROM
by the manufacturer.
 These critical routine operations are prepared
before the computer is placed in operation.
The computer designer incorporates these
instructions into a tiny permanent ROM, and
installs the memory in the CPU section.
 This system program (operating system
program) guides the central processing unit
as it initiates operations. Computer users call
this start-up of operations the “boot-up”.
HOW A COMPUTER DOES
ITS WORK
 Groups of instructions that guide
computer operations are called
programs.
 Instructions which make up a program,
can be placed into the Random Access
Memory (RAM) of a computer. There
are three ways to do this:
HOW A COMPUTER DOES
ITS WORK
1. A computer operator types
programs on the keyboard.

 The Central Procession Unit

(CPU) (control unit) diverts these
instructions to temporary storage
in the RAM memory section of the
CPU.
HOW A COMPUTER DOES
ITS WORK
2. Instructions are prepared and stored on
magnetic tape in a cassette or diskette.
 Fed into the computer CPU from the
cassette player/ recorder or disk drive,
this kind of program goes to the RAM
memory - just as do programs
generated by keyboard entry.
 The instructions wait there until called
for by the CPU or the computer
operator.
HOW A COMPUTER DOES
ITS WORK
3. A third way of getting information into a
computer involves a combination of (1)
and (2).
 Information stored on an audio cassette
or diskette is fed into the computer via
a cassette player or disk drive.
 Putting in additional or replacement
instructions by typing them via the
keyboard alters that information.