THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA

COLLEGE OF INFORMATICS AND VIRTUAL EDUCATION

COURSE CODE: CT 211

COURESE NAME: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AND ORGANIZATION

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

NAME REG NO

EMMANUEL MOSES T/UDOM/2020/09476

INSTRUCTOR: Mr Bakii seif

ASSIGNMENT 1

QUESTION 1

Describe in your words the meaning of the following terms:

 a) The four main functions of a computer;
 Computer inputs data: computer accepts raw data from devices like
the keyword, mouse.
 Computer processing data: after raw data accepted into the
computer then it processes the raw data by the central processing
unit (CPU).
 Computer gives/ produces output: Computer produces the output
after the processing is complete, which is done by devices like the
speaker, monitor.
 Computer also stores data temporarily (RAM) and permanently
(ROM): Computer stores information and data either temporarily by
the Random access memory (RAM) or permanently by the read only
memory (ROM).
b) The main structural components of the computer;
 Processor: This is an important element of a computer that controls
all the operations that are performed by the computer. This is also
referred as the central processing unit (CPU). CPU performs various
calculations as well as data processing.
 Main memory: This is also referred as primary memory which is
volatile in nature. This stores the data and programs temporarily;
main memory is also referred as the random access memory (RAM).
 I/O Modules: These are the movement of data between computer
and other peripherals devices of the entire system of the particular
computer.
 System Bus: This is known as the bus that connects the CPU to the
main memory on the motherboard, I/O modules and many other
more components that are within the entire particular system.

c) The main structural components of a processor;

 Control unit: it fetches, decodes and executes instructions, it issues

control signals that control hardware, it moves data around the system.
 Arithmetic logic unit: It performs arithmetic and logical operations
(decisions). The ALU is where calculations are done and where decisions
are made, It acts as a gateway between primary memory and secondary
storage, Data transferred between them passes through the ALU.

 Registers: Registers are small amounts of high-speed memory

contained within the CPU. They are used by the processor to store small
amounts of data that are needed during processing, the address of the
next instruction to be executed, the current instruction being decoded, the
results of calculations.

 Cache: Cache is a small amount of high-speed random access

memory (RAM) built directly within the processor. It is used to temporarily
hold data and instructions that the processor is likely to reuse. This
allows for faster processing as the processor does not have to wait for
the data and instructions to be fetched from the RAM.

 Buses: A bus is a high-speed internal connection. Buses are used to

send control signals and data between the processor and other
components, Address bus - carries memory addresses from the
processor to other components such as primary memory and input/output
devices, Data bus - carries the actual data between the processor and
other components, Control bus - carries control signals from the
processor to other components. The control bus also carries the clock's
pulses.

 Clock: The CPU contains a clock which is used to coordinate all of

the computer's components. The clock sends out a regular electrical
pulse which synchronizes (keeps in time) all the components, the
frequency of the pulses is known as the clock speed. Clock speed is
measured in hertz. The higher the frequency, the more instructions can
be performed in any given moment of time.

Question 2
Describe in your own words the understanding of the following
terms and please provide several examples illustrating
explanation:

a) General purpose of the computer: The purpose of the

computer is to perform calculations, store information,
and retrieve data and process information. A computer
has programmed data or computer language that tells
the computer how to fulfill its purpose. The computer
will only do what it is programmed to do.
b) Special purpose of the computer: These are designed
to be task specific and most of the times their job
is to solve one particular problem. They are also
known as dedicated computers, because they are
dedicated to perform a single task over and over
again.
c) What is a stored program computer: This is a computer
that stores program instructions in electronically or
optically accessible memory, This contrasts with
systems that stored the program instructions with plug
boards or similar mechanisms.