COMPUTER ASSIGNMENT-1

1. Discuss the logical structure of CPU.

CPU generally stands for Central Processing Unit; it performs the actual
computation inside the computer. It is also called as the microprocessor which is made up
of millions of microscopic transistors that are embedded in a circuit on a silicon chip
which carry out arithmetic & logical operations. CPU determines the type of operating
system you use and the corresponding software. CPU is mainly by the operator,
controller, registers and internal bus, etc., and is the core PC, adding memory, input /
output interface and system bus consisting of a complete PC.

The major Tasks of the CPU are:

• Fetch instruction – The CPU reads an instruction from memory.

• Interpret instruction – The instruction is decoded to determine what action
is required.
• Fetch data – The execution of an instruction may require reading data
from memory or an I/O module.
• Process data – The execution of an instruction may require performing
some arithmetic or logical operation on data.
• Write data – The results of an execution may require writing data to
memory or an I/O module.

The central processing unit carries out each instruction of the program in sequence, to
perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system.

The below diagram shows the basic working of the CPU and its components.
 The major components of CPU are:
1. Control Unit
2. Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU).
3. Registers.

1. Control Unit (CU): Control unit sequentially accesses program instructions,

decodes them and controls the flow of data to and from the ALU, the registers, the
caches, primary storage, secondary storage and various output devices. It carries
out the program’s instructions & operates on data it finds in the computer’s
memory. It’s a circuitry for coordinating machine activities & controls the
sequence of operations.

2. Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU): ALU is a fundamental building block of the central

processing unit (CPU) of a computer, performs the mathematical calculations and
makes logical comparisons.

3. Registers: They are high-speed storage areas that store very small amount of data
and instructions for short periods of time, generally holds information applicable
to the current operation.

2. How does Computer fair well when an industry goes for

Automation of its office.

Computers play a key role in the automation process of any Office or an industry.
Years back, automated machines were limited and the amount of feedback data they
could collect, interpret and execute was limited to a relatively small number of
alternatives. With the revolution of computers and their vast use in the day to day life the
 nature of automation has undergone dramatic changes which have helped the industries to
have a rapid growth. When the task is placed under the control of a computer, it can
analyze a vast number of sensory inputs from a system and decide which of many
responses it should make. However, the disadvantage disappears.

The main advantage of computer to fair well in the automation process is their
Speed, accuracy, reliability, integrity, Increased Output and Enhanced Productivity. It can
execute over a million instructions per second without committing any mistake. It can
carry our calculations in just a few minutes that would require days if carried out
manually. Leading to a decrease in manual labor and replacing them. Computers have
helped us in solving many difficult problems of multiple calculations. And has a
huge memory which can hold a large amount of data.

 The main advantages of computers in automation are:

1. They have replaced human operators in tasks that involve hard physical or
monotonous work.
2. Replaced humans in tasks done in dangerous environments (i.e. fire, space,
volcanoes, nuclear facilities, underwater, etc)
3. Performing tasks that are beyond human capabilities of size, weight, speed,
endurance, etc.
4. Economy improvement. Office Automation has improved in economy of
enterprises, society or most of humankind.

 The main disadvantages of computers in automation are:

1. Technology limits: Current technology is unable to automate all the desired tasks.
2. Unpredictable development costs: The research and development cost of
automating a process in office may exceed the cost saved by the automation itself.
3. High initial cost: The automation of a new project requires a huge initial
investment in comparison with the manual work, although the
cost of automation is spread in many ways.

3. Discuss the various types of memories used in a computer system

along with hierarchies.
A personal computer must have a means of storing information (data) and
instructions so that it can perform processing tasks on the data. There are 2 basic
categories of computer memory:

A.) Primary storage.

B.) Secondary storage.

Memory Hierarchy
Secondary Storage
Primary Storage

Magnetic
Tapes
I/O Main
Magnetic Processor Memory
Disk

Cache
CPU Memory

 Primary stores small amounts of data and information that will be

immediately used by the CPU.
 Secondary stores much larger amounts of data and information (an entire
software program, for example) for extended periods of time.

Primary storage or main memory stores three types of information for very brief periods
of time.
> Data to be processed by the CPU.
> Instructions for the CPU as to how to process the data.
> Operating system programs that manage various aspects of the computer’s operation.
Primary storage takes place in chips mounted on the computer’s main circuit board,
called the motherboard.

There are 4 main types of primary storage:

1. Register.
2. Random access memory (RAM),
3. cache memory and
4. Read-only memory (ROM).
Registers: registers are part of the CPU with the least capacity, storing extremely limited
amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing.
Random access memory (RAM): The part of primary storage that holds a software
program and small amounts of data when they are brought from secondary storage.
Cache memory: A type of primary storage where the computer can temporarily store
blocks of data used more often.
Read-only memory (ROM): Type of primary storage where certain critical instructions
are safeguarded, the storage is nonvolatile and retains the instructions when the power to
the computer is turned off.
• Flash memory: A form of rewritable read-only memory that is compact,
portable, and requires little energy.

Secondary storage.
They are the devices where Memory capacity can store a very large amount of data for
extended periods of time.
> It is nonvolatile.
> It takes much more time to retrieve data because of the electromechanical nature.
> It is cheaper than primary storage.
> It can take place on a variety of media.

1. Hard disk: A form of secondary storage that stores data on platters divided into
concentric tracks and sectors, which can be read by a read/write head that pivots
across the rotating disks.
2. Floppy disk: A form of easily portable secondary storage on flexible disks; also
called floppy disks.
3. Optical storage devices: A form of secondary storage in which a laser reads the
surface of a reflective plastic platter.
4. Compact disk, read-only memory (CD-ROM): A form of secondary storage
that can be only read and not written on.
5. Digital video disk (DVD): An optical storage device used to store digital video or
computer data.

Other storage options are:

• Memory cards: Credit-card-size storage devices that can be installed in an

adapter or slot in many personal computers (i.e. memory sticks, thumb drives).
• Expandable storage devices: Removable disk cartridges used as backup storage
for internal hard drives of PCs.

These all together shows an approach of organizing memory and storage systems known
as a memory hierarchy. And this memory hierarchy system consists of all the storage
devices.