A block diagram is a visual representation of a system that uses

simple, labeled blocks that represent single or multiple items,

entities or concepts, connected by lines to show relationships
between them.

Digital
Computers
A Digital computer can be considered as a digital system that performs various
computational tasks.

The first electronic digital computer was developed in the late 1940s and was used
primarily for numerical computations.

By convention, the digital computers use the binary number system, which has two
digits: 0 and 1. A binary digit is called a bit.

A computer system is subdivided into two functional entities: Hardware and

Software.

The hardware consists of all the electronic components and electromechanical

devices that comprise the physical entity of the device.

The software of the computer consists of the instructions and data that the computer
manipulates to perform various data-processing tasks.
 o The Central Processing Unit (CPU) contains an arithmetic and logic unit for
manipulating data, a number of registers for storing data, and a control circuit
for fetching and executing instructions.
o The memory unit of a digital computer contains storage for instructions and
data.
o The Random Access Memory (RAM) for real-time processing of the data.
o The Input-Output devices for generating inputs from the user and displaying
the final results to the user.
o The Input-Output devices connected to the computer include the keyboard,
mouse, terminals, magnetic disk drives, and other communication devices.

Hardware
Computer hardware consists of interconnected electronic devices that we can use to control
computer’s operation, input and output. Examples of hardware are CPU, keyboard, mouse,
hard disk, etc.
Hardware Components
Computer hardware is a collection of several components working together. Some parts are
essential and others are added advantages. Computer hardware is made up of CPU and
peripherals as shown in image below.

Software
A set of instructions that drives computer to do stipulated tasks is called a program. Software
instructions are programmed in a computer language, translated into machine language, and
executed by computer. Software can be categorized into two types −

 System software
 Application software
System Software
System software operates directly on hardware devices of computer. It provides a platform to
run an application. It provides and supports user functionality. Examples of system software
include operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Unix, etc.
Application Software
An application software is designed for benefit of users to perform one or more tasks.
Examples of application software include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Oracle, etc.

Differences between Software and Hardware are

Sr.No. Software Hardware

1 It is a collection of programs to It includes physical components of computer

bring computer hardware system system.
into operation.

2 It includes numbers, alphabets, It consists of electronic components like ICs,

alphanumeric symbols, diodes, registers, crystals, boards, insulators,
identifiers, keywords, etc. etc.

3 Software products evolve by Hardware design is based on architectural

adding new features to existing decisions to make it work over a range of
programs to support hardware. environmental conditions and time.
 4 It will vary as per computer and It is mostly constructed for all types of
its built-in functions and computer systems.
programming language.

5 It is designed and developed by The hardware can understand only low-level

experienced programmers in language or machine language.
high-level language.

6 The hardware works only on binary codes 1’s

and 0’s.

It is represented in any high-

level language such as BASIC,
COBOL, C, C++, JAVA, etc.

7 The software is categorized as The hardware consists of input devices, output

operating system, utilities, devices, memory, etc.
language processor, application
software, etc.

Structure of computer
All computer types have the same basic computer structure and function. They all follow basic
operations. These operations are responsible for converting raw input data into some information
that is useful for the users of computers. This basic structure includes an input unit, CPU (central
processing unit), and output unit.

 Input unit

Input units are the components or devices of the computer by which we can enter any data into
the computer. Input devices are responsible for translating all the information that we add to the
computer into a form only understood by the computer. All computer types have an input unit.

 The central processing unit (CPU)

 The central processing unit or CPU is known as the computer’s brain. The CPU plays an
important role in forming the basic structure of computers. CPU. It does all the data operations.
The CPU is responsible for storing data, intermediating results, and instructions of programs. The
central processing unit controls the operations of every part of the computer.

A CPU has three components. These three components are

1. Control unit

2. The memory unit

3. ALU or arithmetic logic unit

Serial Operations Description of operations

number

1.
Take input This is the process in which users enter data as well as
operation instructions into the system of computers.

2.
Processing data This is the process in which operations like logical operations as
operation well as arithmetic operations are performed. They convert all the
required data into useful information.

3.
Store data In this process, data and instructions are stored so that they are
operation available or present during processing if required.

4.
Control the Control of the workflow means the direction of the manner as
workflow operation well as the sequence in which all the operations are performed
and used.

 Output unit

Memory unit
Another important component of all computer types is the memory unit. A memory unit is a place
where all the data, such as programs as well as files, are stored. It becomes easy as well as
quick for a CPU to access all the information through the memory unit.
Two types of memory units are main. These two types are RAM or random access memory and
ROM or read-only memory.

RAM is responsible for storing data when used, whereas ROM is responsible for retaining data
when power is not provided. The type of memory and the size of memory determines the
performance of the system of computers. They also form the basic structure of computers. How
quickly a program can be loaded is also based on the memory unit. It is important to have
enough RAM because of all the projects and changes made on them.

Control unit
Everybody knows of the central processing unit (CPU), but there is one more component that
affects the processing of data. This unit is known as the control unit. The control unit does not
receive any form of input from users; rather, it is responsible for sending commands to other
computer components, for example, the instruction decoder and register. The computer’s control
unit highly affects everything that happens inside the computer.

It handles everything from the execution of instructions to the running of programs. The control
unit does not have any physical form, but still, it forms the basic structure of a computer.

What is memory and classification of memory in computer and its characteristics?

Memory is also used by a computer's operating system, hardware and software. There are
technically two types of computer memory: primary and secondary. The term memory is used as
a synonym for primary memory or as an abbreviation for a specific type of primary memory called
random access memory (RAM).Characteristics of Memory Devices

 Location: The memory can either be stored externally with the help of some
devices or internally.
Examples of primary memory devices are internal devices and secondary
memory devices are external devices.
 Capacity: The amount of data a device can store is called capacity. It can be
varied for both internal and external devices. It is measured as a byte (1 byte =
8 bits, 1 bit is either 0 or 1).
 Access Method: The way of searching the storage devices is called the access
method. It is of four types
 Direct Access Method or Direct access memory
 Sequential Access Method or Sequential access memory
 Random Access Method or Random access memory
 Associative Access Method or Associative access memory