How Computers Work

COMP1002

Computer Concepts with Windows 10

2019 1
1
Computer Systems

• What is a computer?
• Device that inputs, processes, stores data
• Produces useful output (information)
according to a series of stored instructions.
Also known as a ‘PC’

2019 2
Data Processing Cycle
• Four or more stages:
Input (Data)
Processing (Data is manipulated)
Output (Information)

• Then comes: Storage (Permanent record)

• Traditionally, the four above are part of the DP Cycle
• However, you may wish to include Data Collection and Preparation as
stages.
• Data becomes Information when it is manipulated and converted to a
format people can understand and use
2019 3
 Central Processing Unit

Control Unit

Input Output
Arithmetic Logic Unit

Memory Unit

2019 4
Computer Categories
• Supercomputer
• (a.k.a. High Performance Computing Cluster)
• Does large, precise, complex scientific calculations
• RIKEN's MDGrape-3 is the first machine to break the peta flop.
• As of June, 2018, The US Department of Energy's Summit
supercomputer by IBM (more on the new Summit system here) is
number-one on the June 2018 edition of the Top500 list published
Monday. As of the first quarter of 2019, it is still in the lead.
• Sunway TaihuLight, the former Supercomputer champion in Wuxi,
China, slid into second place
• A supercomputer capable of a quintillion operations a second will go
online in 2021 after the US government handed Intel and
supercomputer manufacturer Cray a contract to build the ”Aurora”.
This machine is being built to run AI (Artifical Intelligence) at
unprecedented scales.
• China says it is also coming out with another faster supercomputer
2019 5
Computer Phases

For the purposes of this lesson, we have divided up computing into phases:
• Phase 1
• Mainframe
• Expensive, powerful, 1,000s of users
• Apparently not obsolete yet
• Smaller in size
• The z14 mainframe, began shipping in September 2017 and has boosted IBM's revenue for the
past year.
• The newest member of the z14 family, the z14 Model ZR1

2019 6
Computer Phases
For the purposes of this lesson, we have divided up computing into phases:
• Phase 2
• Microcomputer (a.k.a. Personal Computer)
• Mainly for single user purposes
• Varied configurations (tower, desktop)
• Each type satisfies requirements for specific users
• All in one computers may be making a comeback
• There are many different types of microcomputers, such as personal computers, tablet computers,
smartphones and servers.

2019 7
Computer Phases

For the purposes of this lesson, we have divided up computing into phases:
• Phase 3
• Networked devices
• Notebooks
• Will tablets take over due to its small form factor?

2019 8
Computer Phases

• Phase 4 – hand held computer devices

• Some newer computers have detachable tablets
• May work as separate units
• IPhones, Smartphones, IPAD like devices, “Watch” Google, Sony, Apple
• Cloud Based apps
• 4G, Wi-Fi
• 5G is the next generation of mobile networking technology following 4G. 5G aims to
make mobile communication faster and more reliable as more and more devices go
online. Target timeframe 2020?? It is not yet everywhere.

• This has taken us into the next generations of computing

2019 9
What makes a computer a server?

• Serves computers on a network by providing them with data and

access to applications
• Download
• Copying files from a server to your own computer
• Upload
• Copying files from your own computer to a server

2019 10
Future role of the PC?

Digital focus may

change from the PC
to cloud
Focus will include:
Smartphones
Tablets
Touch and Voice
The
Desktop PC may or may
not be just another option

2019 11
Data Representation
Why 0’s and 1’s

• Computers represent data in various ways

• Electronically: as it travels through a computer
• Magnetically: on hard drives
• Optically: on CDs and DVDs via a modem
• Audibly:
• This data must be reliable
• ‘0 ‘or ‘1’ / Off or On / False or True
provide ‘absolutes’ with no
chance of misinterpretation

2019 12
Binary Numbering

• Computers represent and store values using ‘0’s and ‘1’s

• We use Base10 (decimal) numbering system, PCs use Base2 (binary)
• In binary, any numeric value can be represented using ‘0’s and ‘1’s

2019 13
Binary Numbering

• Computers can use numbers to represent objects:

Bits and Bytes

• 0 or 1 value is a bit (represented by lower case ‘b’)

• 80b = 80 bits
• 8 bits make a Byte (represented by upper case ‘B’)
• 10B = 10 bytes = 80 bits
• Bits and Bytes are how we measure:
• file size 50KB
• media capacity 500GB
• transmission speeds 80Mbps

• What is a nibble?
2019 15
Quantifying Bits and Bytes

• Prefixes
• Kilo = 1 Thousand
• Mega = 1 Million
• Giga = 1 Billion
• Tera = 1 Trillion

• Note difference between

• MB measures storage
• Mb measures speed (Mbps)

2019 16
Hardware vs. Software

• Hardware
• Tangible, you can see and touch it
• Term includes Peripherals (components external to system
unit)
• Software
• Intangible, we only see the effects of software
• ‘0’ and ‘1’ values stored on disks and in memory allow a
computer to perform useful tasks via
‘Arithmetic computations and Logical comparisons’

• There are many categories of SW

2019 17
Motherboard

Central element of a computer

system’s processing hardware
is main circuitry board known
as..
• Motherboard
• System board
• Main board

1/9/2018 2019 18
17
Motherboard

1/9/2018 2019 19
18
Integrated Circuits and Chips

• Essential Chips are housed on a motherboard that

work with a specific family of processors

2019 20
Microprocessor

• The brain of the computer is the processor.

• a.k.a. microprocessor, or Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Consists of millions of transistors (switches)
• Processor similar to orchestra conductor
• System clock similar to the drummer

• CPU contains two main parts:

• Control Unit (CU) Fetches instructions, data
• Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) Performs the instructions
2019 21
Latest and Greatest

Intel AMD NVidia

2019 22
Multi-Core

• Multi-Core Technology
• What does dual core, quad core, hexa core, octa
core and deca core mean?
• They indicate the use of multiple CPUs on a single
circuit. This concept is to improve processing speed
by using two or more processors that can run
independently or cooperatively.
• Most programs do not use all cores.
• 9th generation cores
• Intel is rivaling AMD
• Best performance processor: Intel Core i9-9980XE
2019 23
Convergence
• Several technologies with distinct functions evolve to form a single
product
• Multipurpose
• Technological convergence

• Examples:
• Cell with camera
• SmartTV

2019 24
Evolution
• Look at the following three areas and how they have
evolved:

Data Large Internet

Processing Corporate
• Personal computers • Dial-up
Computing • Mainframe • Cable
• Network • Satellite
Computing • Desktop
• Fiber Optics
Computers
• Cloud Computing • 4G, LTE
• Notebooks
• 5G and beyond
• I pad type devices

2019 25
Social Media

Social interaction is in play

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
Isolation is in the • Blogs
past • Wikis
• Twitter
• YouTube

2019 26
Data and Information
• Data are symbols that represent:
• People
• Events
• Things
• Ideas
• In of itself does not create meaning for humans

• Information represents:
• Data formatted in a way that is meaningful to humans

2019 27
Cache Memory
• Memory inside processor, and other devices
• Holds instructions, data to be processed
• Fast high speed memory and is expensive

• Processor predicts what data, instructions need to be loaded next and

pre-loads them into cache memory

• By using caching, you're storing frequently used data in quickly accessible

memory.

• The levels of cache are categorized by speed of access and size. The faster
the cache the more it costs to make and the closer it has to be to the CPU.
The L2 will be further away and can be larger in size, same with L3.

• Is there a L4?

2019 28
Random Access Memory (RAM)

2019 29
Random Access Memory (RAM)

• RAM
• RAM is an acronym for random access memory.
• It is this memory that allows your computer to run
programs and continue operations in a relatively fast
manner.
• RAM is used by the central processing unit (CPU) to store
information and calculations that can be easily retrieved.
• Acts as a temporary ‘Working area’ for the processor
• Retrieving data, instructions directly from a hard drive to the
processor is slow. Faster to preload to RAM to speed up retrieval
• NOTE: RAM is dynamic, volatile
• Contents sustained by electronic pulses while PC powered on
• All content LOST if PC loses power or is ‘rebooted’

2019 30
Read Only Memory (ROM)

• Read-only memory (ROM contains the

programming needed to start a PC,
which is essential for boot-up; it
performs major input/output tasks
and holds programs or software
instructions.
• ROM is read-only, it cannot be
changed.

2019 31
Form Factor vs Footprint
• Refers to the size, configuration, or physical arrangement of a
computer hardware object
• Similar in meaning to “Footprint” which refers to the amount of space
a particular unit of hardware or software occupies.

2019 32
Sizing

Desktop Smart
Notebook Netbook Tablet
Computer Devices

2019 33
Input:

Keyboard

Mouse

Voice Recognition

Scanner

Tablet - Stylus

2019 34
OUTPUT: Printers

• Ink Jet
• High quality
• Low priced, but ink costly to replace
• Slow

• Laser
• High quality
• Becoming very low priced, but cartridges costly to replace
• Colour used to be expensive
• Fast
• New Print Workstations with ink saving capabilities

2019 35
OUTPUT: Computer Screen
• Types:
• The computer monitor market continues to change with improved image
technologies manufactured in a wide array of screen sizes at a variety of
price points.
• Common are Liquid crystal display (LCD) and light-emitting diode (LED)
monitors
• There is an emergence of ultra-high definition (UHD) monitors, image
quality is much better.
• Touch screens are becoming more commonplace, and overall, computer
monitors are more affordable

2019 36
Storage Hardware:

• Magnetic, Optical and Solid • Two main components:

State Storage • Storage Medium: the
disk itself (may be
removable)
• Non-volatile (data remains after • Storage Device:
mechanical components
power off). • Sometimes these are
• This is where you permanently physically separate – CD,
USB flash drive etc.
store your work and programs Sometimes not – hard
drive, etc.

2019 37
Solid State Storage

• USB flash drive

• Data stored in a chip’s circuits
• If circuits are open, value is ‘1’
• If they are closed, value is ‘0’

• Memory cards (digital camera)

• Would you say these are out of
date yet?

2019 38
Cloud Computing

Cloud computing
uses computing Deployment
resources Models may include
(hardware and • Public cloud
software) delivered • Community cloud
as a service over a • Hybrid cloud
network (commonly • Private cloud
the Internet).

2019 39
The Cloud

• Movement towards the “Cloud” is inevitable.

2019 40