What is Processing,CPU Full Form And Storage Devices
What is Processing,CPU Full Form And Storage Devices-Computers help us in almost every walk of life by processing data into information. Data is provided by input devices and information is presented to us through output devices. Once the computer has received input data, it begins processing it. Flaying a computer process data is similar to having a student calculate the answers to a list of mathematics questions. Just as the student uses his or her brain to calculate the mathematics answers, a computer uses its brain, the Central Processing Unit or CPU, to process information.
Processing:
The conversion of data into information by a computer is called processing. Data \travels in the computer along circuits. A circuit board is a flat surface on which circuits are laid out. The motherboard is the most important circuit board. It carries the most important parts of the computer such as the CPU.
The CPU and microprocessor:
CPU Full Form is Central processing unit
The CPU is the brain of the computer. It analyses data, stores it, and controls peripheral devices. The microprocessor is a silicon chip that contains the CPU. This CPU is placed inside the system unit. The system unit also contains other internal parts of the computer. All input and output devices are plugged into ports at the back of the system unit. Input and output devices are also called peripheral devices because they are found outside the system unit.
The components of the CPU:
The CPU consists of three parts.
ALU full form (arithmetic logic unit): The arithmetic logic unit is responsible for performing calculations, making comparisons, and processing data into information.
CU full form is control unit: The control unit (CU ) controls the operations of all the different parts of a computer. It regulates the step by-step operation of all the parts of a computer. Its main job is to carry out or execute the instructions that have been stored in the memory of the computer.
The memory unit (MU) stores data and instructions.
There are two types of computer memory.
- Main memory or primary storage
- Backing storage or secondary storage
Main memory or primary storage
The main memory is located on the CPU. It stores data and instructions that help the computer to work properly. There are two main types of primary storage: RAM and ROM. They are like identical twins but each has a very specific task to perform.
Ram full form is Random-Access Memory (RAM)
RAM stores information temporarily. Information on RAM can be accessed very quickly. It can be added, changed, or deleted any number of times. RAM is volatile. As soon as power to the system is lost, information in RAM is deleted. For example, if you were writing a story on a computer, it would hold your words in its RAM until you were ready to print out your story.
Rom full form is Read-Only Memory (ROM)
ROM is permanent or non-volatile memory. Information stored in ROM cannot be changed. This information helps the computer work properly. It tells the computer how to start up, upload the operating software, and shut down.
Bus
A bus is a circuit that links the CPU with peripheral devices.
There are three types of buses.
- The address bus carries signals from peripheral devices to the processor and vice versa.
- The data bus carries raw data to the processor and processed information from the processor.
- The control bus carries commands from the CPU to the different devices and informs the CPU about those devices.
The expansion card and expansion slot:
An expansion card is a circuit board that can be attached to the motherboard. It improves the performance of the computer. A motherboard has sockets called expansion slots. An expansion card can fit into an expansion slot.
Backing storage or secondary storage:
Backing storage stores data permanently. For this reason, it is also called permanent storage. It is not part of the CPU. It is also called removable storage because it can be removed from one computer and attached to any other computer. A backing storage medium is the material on which data is stored. A CD is a storage medium. A backing storage device copies and reads data on a storage medium.
A CD-drive is a backing storage device. Moving data from the main memory to backing storage is called saving. Moving data from backing storage to the main memory is called loading. On some storage media, we can jump to the data we need. This is called direct access. On other storage media, we have to read from the start to get to the data we need. This is called serial access. An audio cassette stores data on magnetic tape. Magnetic tapes provide serial access. An audio CD stores data on a laser disc. Discs provide direct access.
The hard disk and hard disk drive:
The hard disk is a permanent storage medium installed inside a computer. It is also called an internal hard disk. It consists of one or more flat disks coated with a magnetic substance. A hard disk drive consists of a spindle on which the hard disk rotates. A read-write head writes and reads data on the disk. The amount of information that can be saved on the hard drive depends on its size.
Some types of hard disks can be removed from the computer and carried around. They can also store more data than internal hard disks. Hard disk cartridges and hard disk packs are examples of portable hard disks. They are used with minicomputers and mainframes.
If a magnet is brought near a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, the stored data can become damaged. There is less chance of this happening with the internal hard disk, but floppy disks can get damaged easily. Floppy disks are smaller and lighter than hard disks. They are portable and are often damaged by magnets. They are not used nowadays. Laser drives use a head that emits a strong beam of light to burn tiny holes on the surface of a laser disc as it rotates. This makes the changes permanent.
Optical storage devices:
Optical storage devices use laser to save and load data on optical storage media.
The compact disk (CD)
A CD is a thin, flat disc protected by a transparent cover. The CD-ROM drive is inside the system unit. CDs are portable and secure. There are three types of CDs.
CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)
Data stored on a CD-ROM cannot be changed. It can store up to 650 Mb of data.
CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable)
A CD-R is a blank disc on which data can be stored only once, but read many times. It is also called a WORM (Write Once, Read Many) disc.
CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable)
A CD-RW allows users to record and change data any number of times. CD-RWs cannot be used with ordinary compact disc drives. A device called a CD recorder is needed.
The digital versatile disc (DVD-ROM)
DVD-ROMs store more and better quality text, audio, and video than CD-ROMs. They can store movies and allow users to jump to a scene in the middle of a film.
The data play disc
A data play disc prevents stored data from being copied or stolen. It can store around 500 Mb of sound data. It is used to store music and digital photographs.
The flash memory card
The flash memory card stores data in gigabytes. It is small, light, and portable. Flash memory cards are called solid-state storage devices. They do not have any moving parts. There are two types of flash memory cards.
The USB memory stick or pen drive
The USB memory stick, or USB, is very small and light. It is inserted into the USB port and used as backing storage.
The smart card
A smart card stores data on a thin, embedded microprocessor. Smart cards can store music, video clips, photographs, and books.
The Internet hard drive or I-drive
Some web sites offer free or low-cost storage on an Internet hard drive. Users can view information from any computer conneded to the Internet.
Summary: Conclusion
- The conversion of data into information by a computer is called processing.
- The system unit contains the various components of the computer.
- The CPU analyses data, stores it, and controls peripheral devices.
- The microprocessor is a silicon chip that contains the CPU.
- The CPU is made up of three parts: the ALU, CU, and MU.
- The arithmetic logic unit performs calculations and makes comparisons.
- The control unit controls the operations of all the parts of a computer.
- The memory unit stores data, instructions, and programs.
- Main memory consists of RAM and ROM.
- Random-Access Memory (RAM) stores information temporarily. It is volatile.
- Read-Only Memory (ROM) is permanent or non-volatile memory. Information stored in ROM cannot be changed.
- The data bus carries raw data to the processor and processed information from it.
- The control bus carries commands from the CPU to the different devices
- . • The address bus carries signals from peripheral devices to the processor and vice versa.
- A bus is a circuit that links the CPU with peripheral devices.
- An expansion card can be attached to the motherboard to improve the performance of the computer. It can fit into an expansion slot.
- Backing storage stores data permanently.
- A backing storage medium is the material on which data can be stored.
- A backing storage device copies and reads data on a storage medium.
- Transferring data from the main memory to backing storage is called saving.
- Transferring data from backing storage to the main memory is called loading.
- The hard disk is a permanent storage medium installed inside a computer.
- A hard disk drive consists of a spindle and a read-write head.
- The internal hard disk, hard disk cartridge, and hard disk pack are different types of hard disks.
- Optical storage devices use laser to save and load data.
- CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-ROMs, and data play discs are common optical storage devices.
- Flash memory cards store more data than optical storage devices.
- The USB memory stick and smart card are common flash memory cards.
- A storage area on the Internet is called an Internet hard drive.