Foundations of Computer

Science from Data Manipulation to

Theory of Computation

Behrouz A. Forouzan,
Brooks/Cole—Thomson Learning,
Pacific Grove, USA, 2003.

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2003
Chapter 1

Introduction

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2003
 OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, the reader should be able to:

Understand the concept of a black box, a data processor, and

a programmable data processor.

Define the von Neumann model and name its components:

memory, arithmetic/logic unit, control unit, and input/output.

Understand the stored program concept.

Understand the sequential execution of statements in a program.

Name the components of a computer: hardware, software,

and data.
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2003
1.1
THE COMPUTER
AS A BLOCK BOX

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2003
Figure 1-1

Data processor model

 You can think of a computer as a data

processor.
 Is it a specific-purpose machine or a general-
purpose machine?

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2003
Figure 1-2

Programmable data processor model

 A program is a set of instructions that tells the

computer what to do with data.
 A program is a set of instructions written in a computer
language.
 The output data depend on the combination of two
factors: the input data and the program.

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2003
Figure 1-3
Same program, different data

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2003
Figure 1-4

Same data,
different
programs

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2003
Figure 1-3

Same input data, same program

 When the same program is run with

the same input, you expect the same
output.

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2003
1.2
von NEUMANN
MODEL

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2003
Figure 1-5

von Neumann model

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2003
Figure 1-5

von Neumann model: Four subsystems

 Memory

Memory is the storage area
 Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

The ALU is where calculation and logical operations
take place.
 Control unit

The control unit controls the operations of the
memory, ALU, and the input/output subsystem.
 Input/output

The input subsystem accepts input data and the
program from outside the computer.

The output subsystem sends the result of processing
to the outside.

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2003
Figure 1-5

von Neumann model

 Stored program concept:

 The von Neumann model states that the
program must be stored in memory.
 The memory of modern computers hosts
both a program and its corresponding data.
They are stored as binary patterns (a
sequence of 0s and 1s) in memory.
 Sequential execution of instructions
 A program is made of a finite number of
instructions. They are executed
sequentially.
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2003
1.3 COMPUTER
HARDWARE
See Chapter 5

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2003
1.4
DATA

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2003
Figure 1-5

Data
 Storing data
 The von Neumann model does not define how data
must be stored in a computer.
 A computer can store data in one of two states.
 You will learn how to store different types of data as
a binary pattern, a sequence of 0s and 1s.
 Organizing data (data organization)
 Although data should be stored only in one form
inside a computer, data outside a computer can take
many forms.
 Data are organized into small units, small units are
organized into larger units, and so on.
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2003
1.5 COMPUTER
SOFTWARE

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2003
Programming
 Programs must be stored

Programs are stored in
computer memory. (see
Figure 1-6)
 A sequence of
instructions

Programs must be a
sequence of instructions.
(see Figure 1-7)

Why? Reusability.

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2003
Figure 1-7

Program made of instructions

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2003
Computer Software
 Algorithms
 A step-by-step solution to a program is called an
algorithm.
 Languages
 A computer language has a more limited
number of symbols and also a limited number of
words.
 Software engineering
 The design and writing of programs in a
structured form.
 Operating systems
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2003
1.6
HISTORY

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2003
History
 Computer generation
 First generation: vacuum tubs
 Second generation: transistors
 Third generation: integrated circuit
 Fourth generation: micro-computers
 Fifth generation: multimedia

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2003
Key Terms
Algorithm Memory
Arithmetic logic unit Microcomputer
(ALU)
Operating system
Black box
Output data
Computer language
Program
Computer science
Programmable data
Control unit processor
Data processor Software
Input data
Software engineering
Instruction
Von Neumann model
Integrated circuit
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2003