Computer Science 1026A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Arithmetic Logic Unit, Auxiliary Memory, Hypotenuse

• School: Western University
• Department: Computer Science
• Course: Computer Science 1026A/B
• Professor: N.A

Document Summary

Consists of the physical elements in a computer system. Some very visible examples are the monitor, the mouse, external storage, and the keyboard. The central processing unit (cpu) performs program control and data processing. Storage devices include memory (ram) and secondary storage. Input / output devices allow the user to interact with the computer. The cpu has two components, the control unit and the arithmetic logic unit. The control unit directs operation of the processor. All computer resources are managed by the control unit. It reads and interprets instructions and determines the sequence for processing the data. The arithmetic logic unit contains the circuitry to perform calculations and do comparisons. It is the workhorse portion of the computer and its job is to do precisely what the control unit tells it to do. Primary storage is composed of memory chips: electronic circuits that can store data as long as it is provided electric power.