Wha_Is_Hardware_and_How_It_Works

Hardware assignment Unit 1 Contents Q1 Explain the function of: - 4 - Hardware: - 4 - Motherboard: - 4 - CPU: - 4 - RAM: - 4 - ROM: - 4 - Cache memory: - 4 - Hard drive: - 5 - Software: - 5 - Operating system: - 5 - Application software: - 5 - Q2 Explain how those basic computer hardware & software interact within a computer system - 5 - Q3 How many types of computers do you know' Please enumerate their characteristics and explain their difference in form of: Usage, Price, Space, Benefits and inconveniences. - 7 - Q4 the evolution of computer processor is growing faster. Explain the development of computer processor. As we move from one core to dual and even more core. - 8 - Q5 what is the use of computer memory (DRAM, SDRAM, ROM, Cache memory): - 9 - Q6 Explain the function of: - 10 - Storage devices: - 10 - I/O devices: - 10 - Processor: - 10 - Multimedia Facilities: - 10 - Other features: - 11 - Q7 Analyse the major developments in commercial computing since 1946 - 11 - Bibliography - 13 - Q1 Explain the function of: Hardware Software Motherboard CPU Operating system RAM ROM (cache memory) Application software Hard Drive Hardware: Motherboard: The motherboard is a sheet of plastic onto which metallic circuits are printed (motherboard’s buses). It contains a series of slots for other components (the processor, the memory, key board control, etc...), and these smaller circuit boards will add to the motherboard capabilities. The motherboard is the most important part of the PC; it determines the internal computer architecture and ties it all together by sending power, data and instructions among all computer components. CPU: It is the Central Processing Unit of the computer and it is the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing; “the CPU and the memory, form the central part of a computer to which the peripherals are attached". Often referred as the processor or the central processor, the CPU basically interprets instructions and carries out the data processing; it is where most calculations take place. RAM: Random Access Memory could be defined as the short term storage area of the PC. The RAM, is electromagnetic storage that loses all its data as soon as the power is turned off. The operating system and in general all applications, including games use it to store data that is required at speed; as a result, if the computer has a large amount of memory it will perform faster given that the CPU is not being unused waiting for data to be retrieved from slower components such as the hard drive. ROM: Read Only Memory is the memory where the basic instructions for operating the hardware are in the system. Its contents can be easily accessed and read but cannot be changed even if the computer is shutdown; ROM is programmed when fabricated, so it cannot easily (if at all) be reprogrammed. Cache memory: Cache memory is a block of high speed memory that speeds the computer by storing the data that has recently being used so, when the user requests some data the system will check the cache memory first and load it immediately; that if it has been used recently, reducing the access time; if it hasn’t consequently it isn’t present in cache then the computer will load it from the main memory which will take longer. When the cache memory is built into the CPU is referred as Level 1(L1), if it resides on a separate chip is referred as Level 2 (L2) and/or Level 3 (L3). This last one works hand-in-hand with L1 and L2 cache to improve computer performance. Hard drive: Commonly known as the computer’s primary unit of storage, it is where the data is stored permanently, although it can also be deleted if the user chooses to do so. However it is good to mention that the hard disk drive (HDD) often shortened to “hard drive”, is the mechanism that controls the positioning, reading and writing of the hard disk which is where the data is stored; they are packaged as a unit so together are commonly referred as hard drive. Software: Operating system: Operating System (OS) is the software that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the other programs in a computer, it communicates with the computer hardware on the most basic level; it organises and controls the hardware and the software so that the device behaves in an expected way. The type of operating system that a computer has also determines what types of software can be run on it. Application software: It is a program that is designed to help the user to perform a particular task, for instance world processors or spread sheets. Q2 Explain how those basic computer hardware and software interact within a computer system: Hardware and software independently and/or together are useless without an operating system (OS). The OS function is to manage them, providing common services for the efficient execution of the different applications installed in the computer, so for functions such as input/output and memory allocation it acts as an intermediary between the programs and the hardware. Saying that, the hardware and the software interaction happens through the operative system. Once the computer is turned on the first thing the system does is to look for the BIOS and ROM which are located in the motherboard (as explained above, its main function is to tie and integrate all the components together), the OS is then loaded from the hard drive; then it checks/detects that all the components are present and working properly. The OS is the graphic user interface to input or to enter instructions given by the user through the peripherals and the application software. At this point the processor manages and processes every single process between OS and hardware. The computer requires RAM to process data and run the application programs; it is much faster for a computer to access the data from RAM than from the hard drive; consequently a bigger RAM allows more input in this case, more applications or data to be loaded and processed simultaneously. This interaction is expressed on the graphic on the next page. Q3 How many types of computers do you know' Please enumerate their characteristics and explain their difference in form of: Usage, Price, Space, Benefits and inconveniences. There are several ways possible to classify computers, in broad terms it could be by use, size and function or performance bearing on mind that one class could and most probably would step into the other. I will categorise them (although not absolutely) as follows; The term minicomputer still being used for some people and it would be a stand-alone medium size computer located between the microcomputer and the mainframe computer. It can have terminals and other devices attached so not too expensive, designed also for public use. Q4 the evolution of computer processor is growing faster. Explain the development of computer processor. As we move from one core to dual and even more core. As described when discussing the characteristics of the processors, the faster the CPU can process data, the faster the system responds and the less time users would spend waiting for a command or task to be finished, in a society where time means money computing marketing companies have been urged to develop faster processors. Bearing on mind that applications software continuously develops in an even more complicated ways, previous software appears quite simple and didn’t required faster processors, this fact rapidly changes with the apparition of multimedia, graphic design and 3D modelling software that requires high speed processors. At present all processors have in common that they have some number of cores, an on-die cache, and support for either 32-bit or 64-bit code; a processor that support a 64 bit is much faster than a 32-bit but it also requires a substantial memory increase from the system. Currently AMD and Intel are the leading companies in processors production; to make the system run faster the first solution is for computers to have two processors, however this requires more space and separate connection to the motherboard, the concept has been further developed into a double core processor which are two core processors plugged into a single socket allowing not only to manufacture smaller computers but to increase the speed that the computer clocks at and also lower the costs, being cheaper one processor than two and two sockets or two motherboards. Yet it is important to highlight that the performance of a 2GHz dual core processor is not the same as a 4GHz single core, as the dual core represents two 2GHz single cores working together. The analogy of two heads work better than one comes to mind to illustrate and understand the concept. So, if or when solving a complex problem one core could get occupied with one part of the problem and the other could get on with the other part. The same concept is applied when talking about a tri core and quad core. In computer and processor terms that is called "multi-threading", being the advantage not necessarily speed but smoothness when running the system and specifically the applications, however it is fundamental that the application is designed and written to run in a dual/tri or quad core to take advantage of the core concept, separating problems or tasks so each core can work or get occupied as described above with the different tasks. Q5 what is the use of computer memory (DRAM, SDRAM, ROM, Cache memory): We use computer memory to temporally or permanently store data. Memory can be divided into volatile and non-volatile; where volatile memory needs power to be able to be retained by or in the system whilst non volatile can be retained by or in the system even when it is not being powered. Volatile memory is usually known as Random Access Memory (RAM) and can be further subdivided into dynamic (DRAM) and static (SDRAM); DRAM requires the data to be refreshed at regular intervals in order to hold and retain the data. SRAM does not need to be refreshed, the data will be held as long as there is a constant power supply. Static memory uses more transistors per bit of memory; it is faster and much more expensive than dynamic memory. DRAM uses more power producing more heat which needs to be dissipated, nevertheless is used in the computer’s main memory probably as a result of its lower cost A computer's system RAM alone is not fast enough to match the speed of the CPU; that is why ad when the system uses cache memory, explicitly SRAM. However cache doesn’t extend or enlarge the quantity of memory of the system it only reduces the amount of time that the system takes to access data also if data is not used/accessed recently it would be erased to give room to new data. Read only memory (ROM) is a non volatile memory, it can be used as virtual RAM but it is slower than RAM. ROM is where the operative system and the applications software files are written; so even though that this memory remains without power it is also important to note that allows the user to updated it, for instance upgrading software or writing and overwriting files. Q6 Explain the function of: Storage devices I/O devices Processor (power and speed) Multimedia facilities Other features referred for computer systems Storage devices: Storage devices are tools used to retain data and information for retrieval and future use. They could be categorised as primary and secondary. Primary holds info for short periods of time whilst the computer is on like RAM and cache memory. Secondary storage holds information until it is deleted or overwritten; for instance: hard drives, CDs and DVDs (both read-only and disc-recordable), tapes, and USB these latest types of media can be easily removed from the computer. I/O devices: Input/output devices are defined by buzzle.com as the “collection of interfaces that different units of an operational processing system used to communicate to each other”; so we could resume that it is a device for transferring data to or from a computer or a processor to an application. A typical input device is a keyboard or a mouse, an output device is a monitor, printer, camera and sound system. Another type of I/O devices are the storage devices, (discussed above) and devices that help with connecting to computer networks. Processor: As mentioned above it is the core component of the computer it executes instructions and manipulates data. The speed or performance of the processor depends on the clock rate and the instructions per clock (IPC). The CPU’ speed to process the data is proportional to the system’ speed to responds, thus the less time the user needs to wait for a task to be finished. Saying so, the main characteristics to consider when discussing processors would be; the set of instructions that the CPU can execute, the number of bits processed in each instruction and how many instructions per second it can execute. Multimedia Facilities: Multimedia is the media that communicates through different tools such as text, graphics and audio. In a multimedia system all data is represented digitally, therefore is always computer controlled, integrated and usually its final presentation is interactive. An efficient multimedia system would additionally require: * High Processing Power (to deal with lots o data and real time delivery of media) * Multimedia Capable File System to be able to deliver real-time media such as video/audio streaming * Efficient input and output to the file subsystem to allow for real-time recording as well as playback of data e.g. direct to disk recording systems * Large storage units (100Gb or more) an memory (100Mb or more) as well as large cache * Specific software to handle the media, design and developed the application and deliver the media Other features: There are many other devices, tools and peripherals that can be attached or connected to a computer; some would improve the system performance others would mainly improve the user experience, and/or according to the case enhance the use of an application; a point to be considered is that the function of the computer system are not dependent merely on them for instance a computer will run without a mouse or speakers but it will not run without CPU. Other features that not only enhance users experience but facilitate some tasks are; speakers, joystick, flash drives, scanner, printer, microphone, webcam, multiple monitors, modems, headphones, projectors, phone, drawing tablets and as technology develops many more will be out in the market making previous ones obsolete. Q7 Analyse the major developments in commercial computing since 1946 Commercial computing development has been so far measured according to technological developments that have significantly changed the way computer operates; yet I consider that it is well worth mentioning, that, the invention of electricity was the first and biggest development that made computing (as we know it) possible, considering that it allowed many of the heavily mechanical parts of early computers to be replaced. In line with the above, it can be argued that there are five significant technological developments or inventions; vacuum tubes, transistors, integrated circuits, microprocessors and recently, parallel processing and superconductor technologies which have given origin to a five generation of computers. Each generation has made computers even smaller, powerful, more efficient, reliable and less expensive than the previous generation. For instance, the first computer generation (1946-1956) using vacuum tubes and magnetic drums for memory needed entire rooms to be stored, were expensive, used a great deal of electricity so, producing lots of heat which was the main cause of malfunction. They were available to process only one task at the time and worked with the lowest level programming language specific to the task which limited its versatility and speed. The second generation (1956-1963) used transistors, so although smaller and somehow energy efficient they still generated some heat. Like the first generation they still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output; however, because they worked with higher-level programming languages the instructions were specified in words they used magnetic core technology which allowed them to store their instructions. These computers although attractive for business as they were powerful they were, also too expensive for commercial use. In my opinion the capabilities of computer commercialisation really started in the late 60s with the third generation computers; with the development of the integrated circuit transistors small enough to be placed on various silicon chips resulting on speed and efficacy therefore on the usefulness and value (the core concept of our consumer society & commercialisation) allowing the users not only to “interact” with the computer through monitors and keyboard but to the computer to work in more than one task at the time by using applications and an operational system. Around the 70s the fourth generation of computers came up to life with the development of the microprocessor. Thousands of integrated circuits could be built onto a single silicon chip, so whilst its predecessors needed a room to be “stored”, now computers could be “placed” on a desk or even being carried. Microprocessors were then produced and programmed for many other uses like household items, computers companies like IBM and Apple introduced the first personal computers, computers became common, small and powerful they could create networks, share applications and memory space. With the advent of the internet a new digital era started; commercialisation was not only about computer hardware but also software, operational systems and user friendly applications. Whilst we still living on the fourth generation of computers the fifth generation is already starting and not extensively available in commercial terms at least not to individuals, engineering developments are working towards applications related to artificial intelligence such as voice recognition. Current complex computers systems and internet are allowing and/or generating a real time global trade, not only referring to banking but to manufacturing, design and distribution. As Moore argued “computers complexity would double every year, while their price would stay the same” computers use, not only by business but by individuals on common daily tasks (personal computers) computer hardware and software commercialisation will not only continue but increase over time. Bibliography Books * Grimes, A. Galen. PC Upgrades. SAMS, a division of Macmillan Computer Publishing, 1998. * d’Hardancourt, Anatole. Exploring and updating your PC. Sybex, 1995. * White, Ron. How computers work. QUE, 2004. * Maran, Ruth. Computers simplified. Maran Graphics & Hungry Minds.Inc, 2000 Websites * Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard. 25 to 31 October 2010 * Buzzle .com. http://www.buzzle.com - 25 to 5 November 2010 * PC guide. http://www.pcguide.com/ - 25 to 5 November 2010 -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ]. http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn's=cpu 24 October 2010 [ 2 ]. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/io-devices.html 01-nov-2010