HOW COMPUTER PROCESS DATÀ

Components of the Computer System

Motherboard

Circuit board that contains all of the computer system's main components

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Also known as the microprocessor; the brains of the computer. This chip contains millions of switches and pathways that help your computer make important decisions.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Part of the CPU where all calculations and comparisons take place.

Control Unit

That part of the central processing unit (CPU) which coordinates all CPU activities. The boss.

Main Memory

Another word for Random Access Memory or primary memory; volatile. When the computer is turned off or there is a loss of power, anything stored in the RAM chips disappears.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Temporary Memory - Where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis; volatile

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Permanent memory - instructions are burned onto chips by the manufacturer that are used to start up the computer.

Bit

In binary, a bit represents a zero or one

Byte

Eight bits are called this, or one character. Eight bits or combinations of ones or zeros represent a letter such as A.

Input

Data that is entered into a computer system via an input or storage device.

Storage Device

A storage device such as flash drive, hard disk, and so forth that you can write to which is used to save data on a permanent basis.