You are on page 1of 24

Learn Computer Science

learncomputerscienceonline.com/how-computer-works/

April 22, 2020

How Computer Works ?


If you are looking for simple introduction to how computer works then you have reached
the right place . This is a step by step easy-to-understand introduction to how computer
works.

The entire computer functions can be broadly grouped into four basic operations which
includes input operations , storage operations , data processing and output operations.

The computer system consist of both hardware components and the software
components . The software provides a set of instructions which directs the various
operations performed by the computer hardware components.

1/24
This is a comprehensive step by step guide for you to learn the entire logical sequence of
operations performed by the computer system.

In this tutorial , you will also learn the various computer system components and how
these components interact with each other when computer system is switched on.

How Does A Computer Work ?

Table Of Contents

What is a Computer System ?


A computer system is an electronic machine . A computer is designed to perform various
used specified operations such as data processing , calculations , computer graphic ,
word processing and many such applications .

A computer basically operates by performing four basic operations . These basic


computer operations include input operations , storage operations , data processing and
output operations.

2/24
How Computer Works ?

3/24
Computer Basic Operations
Input Operations

Storage Operations

Processing Operations

Output Operations

A computer is a digital electronic device because computer system can understand and
execute only program instructions in binary .

A binary code is represented using binary number system in which each number is
represented using only two numbers that is either numeric zero ( 0 ) or one ( 1 ).

How Computer Works ?

What is a Computer Hardware And Software ?


A computer system consist of various hardware and software components . The
hardware components are tangible electronic and mechanical components.

Whereas , the software components are the computer programs necessary to operate
the computer hardware components and also to perform user specified other jobs on the
system.

The user may use the computer for various operations such as data processing , word
processing and other such applications.

The computer software can be broadly grouped into two categories that is system
software and application software .

4/24
The system software components are used by the computer itself to operate and control
the various hardware components and other hardware devices connected to the system .

Whereas, the application software are computer program specially created to allow the
user to perform various operations such as creating documents , image editing , music
players and other such utility programs.

How Computer Works ?

5/24
What is a Computer System Architecture ?
The computer system architecture defines the configuration of the computer system in
terms of various components used , features and its specifications . The system
architecture also defines the various performance parameter that system must achieve .

The system architecture does not specify any specific brand for various components
rather it specifies the performance benchmarks .

In simple words , the system architecture is a blueprint for building a computer system in
terms of components , configuration and technology .

What is a Computer Program ?


A computer program is a set of instructions which directs the computer system. A
computer performs various operations only as per the program instructions .

A computer program can be written in any programming language . However , the


computer programs are generally written in using any high level programming language
such as C language , C++ , Java , Python and other programming languages .

Since computer understands only machine code instructions in binary , a high level
program first needs to be converted into machine code . This conversion process is
referred as program compilation.

6/24
The binary machine code can be directly executed by the computer system . The low
level machine code in binary consist of only patterns of 0 ( zero ) and 1 ( one ) .

And therefore , the computer programs are first written using a human friendly high level
programming languages and then compiled to machine code in binary.

How Computer Works ?

What is Computer Program ?

How Computer Works ?

What is an Operating System?


An operating system is an essential component of every computer system . It is a type of
system software that gets loaded first into the memory each time when the computer
system is switched on .

An operating system is a system software that is responsible to manage the computer


system . An OS provides a user friendly interface to the user to operate the computer
system.

The operating system also performs some of the most important functions such as
process management , system security , memory management , Resource management.

Read More

What Is Operating System ?

7/24
How Computer Works ?
8/24
What are Computer Hardware Components ?
The computer hardware components include of all the electronic components and also
some mechanical components . Some hardware components are internal to the system.

These internal components are mounted inside a case . A computer case is a cabinet
which provides a protective enclosure to the main system components.

9/24
Some hardware components are attached externally to the computer system . These
external components attached to the system are also commonly referred to as peripheral
devices .

The peripheral devices include input devices such as keyboard , mouse , scanner ,
camera and other input devices . The standard output peripheral devices include display
monitor , printer and external storage devices.

Read More

What Is Computer Hardware ?

Computer Hardware Components

10/24
How Computer Works ?

Computer Hardware Components


Computer System Cabinet .
Microprocessor ( CPU ).
System Motherboard.
Memory RAM Modules.
Hard Drive.
Input And Output Devices..

SMPS - Power Unit.


Chipset - North And South Bridge.
System Cooling Fan.
Optical Drive.
Microprocessor Heat Sink.
Graphics Card .

Computer System Case

Computer Case
The computer case ( cabinet ) provides a secured enclosed space to the system in which
some of the most important system components are mounted.

11/24
The computer case also provides secure mechanical slots in which various internal
components can be placed .

The internal hardware components are placed inside casing include power unit ( SMPS )
, motherboard , micro-processor , graphics card , main memory RAM modules , hard disk
, ventilation fan and other components.

Computer Case Types

Microprocessor ( CPU )
The central processing unit ( CPU ) is the brain of the computer . The CPU is also
alternately referred as microprocessor or simply processor.

The CPU is responsible to perform all the arithmetic calculations and logical operations .
The CPU is securely mounted inside CPU socket present on the motherboard .

The CPU mainly provides the processing power to the computer and therefore the
system performance is significantly depends upon the processor type and speed .

Central Processing Unit ( CPU )

How Computer Works ?

What is Microprocessor ( CPU ) ?

Computer System Motherboard

12/24
The motherboard is the main circuit board inside the computer system .The motherboard
also works as a junction point where other vital components are connected to the system.

Some of the most important system components placed on the motherboard include
microprocessor chip mounted inside a processor socket , the main memory RAM
modules mounted inside slots , integrated controller chipset north bridge and south
bridge graphics card , BIOS and CMOS battery.

The motherboard also provide various connection sockets to connect the hard disk ( disk
memory ) and other drives.

READ MORE

What Is Motherboard ?

Computer Main Memory

RAM - Random Access Memory


The main memory RAM is considered to be the main system memory. The Random
Access Memory modules are mounted inside slots present on the motherboard.

The CPU starts the program execution only when it is loaded into the main memory. The
most commonly used RAM size for is 4 GB , 8 GB and 16 GB.

The main system memory is a critical resource that is managed by the operating system .
The main memory RAM is also referred as primary memory or volatile memory .

What Is Computer Memory ?

13/24
What is Computer Memory

Disk Memory ( Hard Disk )


The main memory RAM has limited capacity and therefore , the computer makes use of
another storage device called disk memory .

The disk memory is installed in the system either as hard disk inside the cabinet or as an
external storage device .

The disk memory is considered to be the secondary memory. The hard disk memory is
mounted inside the specific mechanical slot inside the system casing.

The disk memory has relatively much higher capacity as compared to the main memory
RAM and it is managed by the operating system . The disk memory is also referred as
secondary memory or permanent ( Non-volatile ) memory .

Power Supply Unit ( SMPS )

The power supply unit ( SMPS – Switched Mode Power Supply ) is responsible to supply
electricity current to various components as per the designated power supply requirement
for each device.

The SMPS power supply unit is connected to the input power source ( 110 V US , 220 V
UK , India ) . The SMPS provides power output with multiple output wires for different
internal system components .

This power supply to the system is managed and checked by the power unit installed
inside the computer cabinet .

How Computer Works ?

Input And Output Devices


The input and output devices are standard feature for almost all computer system .

14/24
15/24
Input Devices

The computer system use different types input devices which allow the user to interact
with the computer system and accept the user input data .

The most commonly used input devices include keyboard , mouse , scanner , bar-code
reader , camera , mic and other such devices.

Output Devices
The computer system use different types output devices to allow the user to use the
processed data for different applications and display the processed data or store the data
for future use.

The most commonly used Output devices include display monitor , printer , plotter ,
speaker and other such devices.

How Computer Works ?

What are Computer Software Components ?


The software is an essential feature of every computer system . The computer hardware
components needs to be directed and controlled with the help of programs also called
software.

The computer system use two types of software components which includes both
application software and system software.

Application Software

16/24
The application software are designed to provide various functionality . The user needs
different types of application software to perform various operations .

For example , the most commonly used application software include Microsoft Office .
The MS Office internally consist of group of software and each provides a specific
functionality to the use such as MS Word , Power Point and MS Excel.

Read More

What Is Application Software ?

System Software

The system software is an essential component of every computer system . The


operating system is the most commonly used operating system present in every
computer .

The operating system internally use other system software components such as device
drivers and system utility programs.

The operating system interacts with various hardware components with the help of
another system software called the device driver.

Read More

What Is System Software ?

How Computer Works ?


So far we have learned the basics of computer system , various software and hardware
components and the functions performed by these components.

The entire computer functions can be broadly grouped into four basic operations which
include input operations , storage operations , data processing and output operations

Let us now understand how computer works step by step and the interaction that
happens between the various components after the system is powered on.

How Computer Works ?

How Computer Works - Step By Step


The User starts the computer.
The computer performs power supply Check ( POST ).
The CPU activates BIOS to initiate the booting process.
The BIOS loads the operating system.
The Operating System takes the control of the computer.
The user initiates the program execution .

17/24
The operating system loads program into the main memory.
The CPU initiates the program execution.
The user input data is stored into the main memory..
The processed data is sent to the output device.

The computer performs power supply check ( POST ).

When the computer system is first powered on , the first job for the computer is to ensure
that the computer is getting adequate and designated power supply to the system .

The system power supply unit carries out self-test called POST. The POST stands for
“Power On Self Test” .

The POST test checks the computer systems internal hardware for compatibility ,
connection and ensures that no errors exist before loading the operating system .

18/24
Only after successful completion of the POST , the bootstrap loader routine on the
BIOS chip is invoked to load the operating system . If the POST fails then the
computer system will beep for different beep codes .

After successfully completing the POST ( Power On Self Test ) , the BIOS then attempt
to loads the operating system ( OS ) into the main system memory RAM ( Random
Access Memory ).

The OS is located either on the internal hard disk attached to the computer system OR
from bootable OS disk in the CD ROM drive. The BIOS will pass the control to the
operating system once the it is fully loaded

The CPU Activates the BIOS to Initiate the Booting Process.

The user can start using the computer when the operating system is fully loaded and
operational . And therefore , the microprocessor’s first job is to locate and initiate the
process of loading the operating system every time the computer system is switched
on .

The CPU loads the Operating system with the help of another system utility program
called BIOS ( Basic Input Output System ) .

BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. The BIOS is a system utility program which
loads the operating system when computer is switched on. Learn More :

BIOS And CMOS .

19/24
The Operating System Loads Program into the Main Memory ( RAM ).

The operating system allocates the necessary resources in terms of memory ( RAM ) and
the processor time required for the program execution.

The operating system then loads the executable copy of the program ( machine code
instructions ) and associated data into the main memory RAM .

20/24
The operating system efficiently manages the memory requirement needed for different
processes running on the system .

The OS makes use of virtual memory which is an internal mechanism to accommodate


the memory requirement for the processes that exceeds the available main memory RAM
.

How Computer Works ?

The CPU Initiates the Program Execution .


The microprocessor is the brain of the computer system which provide the processing
power and the decision making ability to the system .

The CPU initiates the program execution by fetching the program instructions and the
data from the main memory RAM .

The CPU executes the program instructions one by one and operates on the data as per
the program instruction .

CPU Machine Cycle


In order to execute the program , the CPU repetitively performs a sequence of four steps
called machine cycle . The machine cycle steps include :

1. FETCH 2. DECODE 3. EXECUTE 4. STORE

The processed data after the CPU operation is sent back and stored into the main
memory . This processed data can be sent to any output device such as display monitor
or printer or secondary storage device for future use.

READ MORE

What Is Machine Cycle ?

CPU Instruction Cycle


The computer program is a set of instructions which directs the computer hardware to
perform various user defined operations.

The instruction cycle is the time required by the CPU to execute one program instruction.
It is the time taken by CPU to fetch , decode and execute one single instruction.

Depending upon the processor architecture , the processor takes either one or more
machine cycle to complete one instruction cycle.

READ MORE

What Is Instruction Cycle ?

21/24
How To Select Best Laptop
If you are looking for a complete guide that will help you select the best laptop within your
budget then this video is going to be an important and interesting for you.

Selecting the best laptop, is a challenging task.

After reading this article , you will be armed with the knowledge and the information that
will help you confidently select the best laptop that you are looking for.

How Computer Works ?

Computer Science And Programming Fundamentals Course

Udemy Online CS Course


This is the most comprehensive and unique Computer Science And Programming
Fundamentals course Online which will give you in depth understanding of most
important fundamental concepts in computer science And Programming .

22/24
Avail 90% Discount On this course
Join The Best Seller

Database Design Online Course

Learn Complete Database Design With MySQL Project


Learn database design and development step by step. This is the most comprehensive
and unique Database Design course Online.

This course will give you in depth understanding of most important fundamental concepts
in database design with MySQL project.

Learn More

23/24
Claim 90% Discount On this course

24/24

You might also like