Organisation of a Computer

The world is embracing technology like never before. Computers are the boon born from the technology that has made everyone’s life easier, especially during the pandemic. Computers have made online classes or surfing through the internet possible. Since the computer is a machine, it comprises various components that convert our commands into their binary language form and give us the desired output. Altogether, five types of computer organisation help in the device’s proper functioning.

Components of the computer organisation

The primary types of computer organisation are described as follows:

1. Input Unit

A computer can produce the output only if an input unit gives the commands. Input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or microphone input the data and instructions. A keyboard helps enter the data in letters and numbers. By using a mouse, one can select any data on the computer, and finally, one can give commands in the form of voice to the computer by using a microphone. Whatever the way to input the data into the computer, it always converts the data or the instructions into binary digits, i.e., 1s or 0s, which are the only codes read by the computer’s primary memory. The input device links the external environment with the computing device to perform a task.

Functions:

• It gives the data and instructions to the device

• It covers the given instructions into the binary code of the computer

• It provides the data for further processing and to produce the desired result

2. Output Unit

After giving input to the computer, the result produced is known as the output. The output unit is a type of computer organisation that gives the final result once the processing is done within the computer device. Despite the input unit, which takes the information from the external world, the output unit is that component of the computer organisation that gives the information to the external environment. The output is produced in binary form but converted to the human-readable form by the output interfaces. Monitors, printers, etc., are output interfaces. The monitors display the results on the screen, whereas the printers print the results on paper.

Functions:

• It takes the input from outside and converts it into coded forms which humans do not understand

• It finally converts those codes into the results, which are in a readable form

3. Memory Unit

The data we enter into the computer gets saved in the memory unit of the CPU. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) contains three major components, one of which is the memory unit that stores the information. It is a component of the computer organisation that transmits the input data into the other components of the CPU for further processing. Apart from storing the input data, it also stores the output before giving it to the user. Examples of storage units include hard disks, RAM, ROM, floppy disks, pen drives, etc.

Functions:

• Stores the data to be processed which are received from the input devices

• Stores the intermediate data while processing

• Stores the processed result before releasing it to the output devices

4. Control Unit

It is a CPU component that retrieves the information from the memory unit, interprets the received data, executes the program’s instructions, and finally retrieves the data. It maintains the order of the information received and directs the system’s operation as it is the core unit. It is regarded as the centre where all the processing actions occur inside the computer device. 

Functions:

• It controls the activities of both the internal and external devices

• It interprets the instructions and determines where to store the data

• It sends the control signals for the execution of the received information

5. Arithmetic And Logic Unit

The arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) is a computer organisation present in the CPU. ALU is the processing unit that processes the data and instructions stored in the memory unit. As the name suggests, it performs the arithmetic and logical operations on the data and stores the data in the primary memory such as RAM. After processing, the final results are stored in the CPU’s storage or the memory unit and are released through the output device. All mathematical calculations and other arithmetic operations are performed here.

 Functions:

• Arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are performed in this component

• It also helps in comparing the numerical data and decision-making actions

Functions Of The Computer

The computer performs complex tasks with ease. The essential basic functions of a computer are as follows:

• Input functions are performed by the computer through which the user provides the data that needs to be processed by the device

• Its primary function is to process the received data and instructions from the input devices. CPU and its components are the primary units responsible for the processing

• A computer can also perform output functions that send the processed data to the output devices for easy handling by the user

• The fourth significant function of a computer is storing and saving the processed data either temporarily or permanently. RAM is considered a temporary storage device, whereas USB drives, CDs, or DVDs are permanent storage devices where the data is not erased after the shut down of the system

Conclusion

The essential components of computer organisation, such as the input and output devices, and the CPU, with its other features, contribute to the computer’s different functions. If all those components work properly without any hindrance, the data can be easily retrieved and understood by the user. Improper functioning of a single component leads to improper results.