Computer Structure

Simplified Structure of a Computer

Inside of the Computer (simplified):

CPU	Main Memory	I/O Devices
Control Unit ALU Cache Registers	RAM ROM SRAM DRAM	Disk(s) Printer Display Mouse
--------------------------------------------------------------------------BUS

Registers:

Register
Instructions
Program Counter
Memory Address(es)
Memory Buffer(s)

Fetch Execute Cycle

Governed by a drill sargent called the clock.
At ticks given by the drill sargent the next program instruction is fetched from memory, acted on and finished.
Each instruction is given the same number of ticks to be executed completely.
The number of ticks needed per instruction is the maximum number needed overall. Thus, if each instruction takes less than 10 clicks but one instruction takes 20 ticks, the computer needs to allow 20 ticks before fetching the next program instruction every time.
The rate of the computer is measured in millions of steps (or ticks) per second.

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Term	Description
bit	binary digit
byte	group of bits
KB	1024 bytes
MB	1024 KB
GB	1024 MB

Operating systems

Windows - Works on IBM compatible machines (the variations are Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP).
Macintosh - Works on Apples computers, has always been point and click.
UNIX - created by AT&T Bell Labs. A very stable system, mainly used as a server.
Linux - an open source version of Unix.

The Operating Systems each have a focus. The Windows and Macintosh OS are used most for applications and general use. The Unix OS is used most on machines doing development and powerful processing.

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Simplified Structure of a Computer

Inside of the Computer (simplified):

Registers:

Fetch Execute Cycle

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Operating systems