This document provides an overview of computer hardware, software, organization and concepts. It defines a computer as a device that performs computations and logical decisions by processing data under instruction sets. Key components include the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage, input/output devices, and software like operating systems and applications. Fundamental concepts discussed include Moore's Law, which predicts an exponential increase in component density, Von Neumann architecture, and how memory is organized into addressable cells.

1. Department of Computer and Information Science,
School of Science, IUPUI
Dale Roberts, Lecturer
Computer Science, IUPUI
E-mail: droberts@cs.iupui.edu
CSCI 230
Introduction to Computers
- Hardware

2. What is a Computer?What is a Computer?
ComputerComputer
Device capable of performing computations and makingDevice capable of performing computations and making
logical decisionslogical decisions
Computers process data under the control of sets ofComputers process data under the control of sets of
instructions called computer programsinstructions called computer programs
Personal computersPersonal computers: economical enough for individual: economical enough for individual
Distributed computingDistributed computing: computing distributed over: computing distributed over
networksnetworks
Client/server computingClient/server computing: sharing of information across: sharing of information across
computer networks between file servers and clientscomputer networks between file servers and clients
(personal computers)(personal computers)
Dale Roberts

3. What is a Computer?What is a Computer? (cont.)(cont.)
Computer HardwareComputer Hardware
Various devices comprising a computer:Various devices comprising a computer:
Keyboard, screen, mouse, disks, memory, CD-Keyboard, screen, mouse, disks, memory, CD-
ROM, and processing unitsROM, and processing units
Hardware Trends: every year or two the followingHardware Trends: every year or two the following
approximately double (Moore’s Law):approximately double (Moore’s Law):
Amount of memory in which to execute programsAmount of memory in which to execute programs
Amount of secondary storage (such as disk storage)Amount of secondary storage (such as disk storage)
Used to hold programs and data over the longer termUsed to hold programs and data over the longer term
Processor speedsProcessor speeds
The speeds at which computers execute their programsThe speeds at which computers execute their programs
High-level
Language
Assembly
Language
Firmware
Machine
Code
Hardware
User
Application
Software
OS

4. What is a Computer?What is a Computer? (cont.)(cont.)
Computer SoftwareComputer Software
Computer Programs that run on a computer, includingComputer Programs that run on a computer, including
Operation System (OS)Operation System (OS)
Application SoftwareApplication Software
Computer LanguageComputer Language
High-level
Language
Assembly
Language
Firmware
Machine
Code
Hardware
User
Application
Software
OS

5. Moore's LawMoore's Law
Defined byDefined by Dr. Gordon MooreDr. Gordon Moore during theduring the
sixties.sixties.
Predicts an exponential increase inPredicts an exponential increase in
component density over time, with acomponent density over time, with a
doubling time of 18 months.doubling time of 18 months.
Applicable to microprocessors, DRAMs ,Applicable to microprocessors, DRAMs ,
DSPs and other microelectronics.DSPs and other microelectronics.
Monotonic increase in density observedMonotonic increase in density observed
since the 1960s.since the 1960s.

6. Moore’s Law - DensityMoore’s Law - Density

7. Moore's Law and PerformanceMoore's Law and Performance
The performance of computers isThe performance of computers is
determined by architecture and clockdetermined by architecture and clock
speed.speed.
Clock speed doubles over a 3 year periodClock speed doubles over a 3 year period
due to the scaling laws on chip.due to the scaling laws on chip.
Processors using identical or similarProcessors using identical or similar
architectures gain performance directly asarchitectures gain performance directly as
a function of Moore's Law.a function of Moore's Law.
Improvements in internal architecture canImprovements in internal architecture can
yield better gains than predicted byyield better gains than predicted by
Moore's Law.Moore's Law.

8. Moore’s Law - Clock SpeedMoore’s Law - Clock Speed

9. What is a Computer?What is a Computer? (cont.)(cont.)
InternetInternet
The Internet enablesThe Internet enables
Quick and easy communication via e-mailQuick and easy communication via e-mail
International networking of computersInternational networking of computers
Packet switchingPacket switching
The transfer of digital data via small packetsThe transfer of digital data via small packets
Allows multiple users to send and receive data simultaneouslyAllows multiple users to send and receive data simultaneously
No centralized controlNo centralized control
If one part of the Internet fails, other parts can still operateIf one part of the Internet fails, other parts can still operate
BandwidthBandwidth
Information carrying capacity of communications linesInformation carrying capacity of communications lines
Ex: Internet T2 at IUPUIEx: Internet T2 at IUPUI
World Wide WebWorld Wide Web
Locate and view multimedia-based documents on almost any subjectLocate and view multimedia-based documents on almost any subject
Makes information instantly and conveniently accessible worldwideMakes information instantly and conveniently accessible worldwide
Possible for individuals and small businesses to get worldwide exposurePossible for individuals and small businesses to get worldwide exposure
Changing the way business is doneChanging the way business is done

10. Computer OrganizationComputer Organization
A Typical Von-Neumann ArchitectureA Typical Von-Neumann Architecture
Example:Example:
1.1. InputInput unitunit
2.2. OutputOutput unitunit
3.3. MemoryMemory unitunit
4.4. Arithmetic and logicArithmetic and logic unit (ALU)unit (ALU)
5.5. Central processingCentral processing unit (CPU)unit (CPU)
6.6. Secondary storageSecondary storage unitunit
Control Circuit
(ex: PC: Program Counter)
ALU
Memory I/O
CPU

11. Computer OrganizationComputer Organization (cont.)(cont.)
Six logical units in every computer:Six logical units in every computer:
1.1. InputInput unitunit
Obtains information from input devices (keyboard, mouse)Obtains information from input devices (keyboard, mouse)
1.1. OutputOutput unitunit
Outputs information (to screen, to printer, to control otherOutputs information (to screen, to printer, to control other
devices)devices)
1.1. MemoryMemory unitunit
Rapid access, low capacity, stores input informationRapid access, low capacity, stores input information
ROM (Read Only Memory): CMOS, EPROM …ROM (Read Only Memory): CMOS, EPROM …
RAM (Random Access Memory): SRAM, DRAM, SIMM, DIMMRAM (Random Access Memory): SRAM, DRAM, SIMM, DIMM
……

12. Computer OrganizationComputer Organization (cont.)(cont.)
Six logical units in every computer (cont):Six logical units in every computer (cont):
3.3. Arithmetic and logicArithmetic and logic unit (ALU) – part of CPUunit (ALU) – part of CPU
Performs arithmetic calculations (addition, subtraction...) andPerforms arithmetic calculations (addition, subtraction...) and
logic decisionslogic decisions
3.3. ControlControl unit (CU) - part of CPUunit (CU) - part of CPU
Supervises and coordinates the other sections of the computerSupervises and coordinates the other sections of the computer
3.3. Secondary storageSecondary storage unitunit
Cheap, long-term, high-capacity storageCheap, long-term, high-capacity storage
Stores inactive programsStores inactive programs

13. Computer OrganizationComputer Organization (cont.)(cont.)
Central Processing Unit (CPU),Central Processing Unit (CPU),
““brain” of a computer, consisting ofbrain” of a computer, consisting of
Arithmetic and logic unitArithmetic and logic unit (ALU): performs arithmetic calculations(ALU): performs arithmetic calculations
(addition, subtraction...) and logic decisions (>, <, =, ...)(addition, subtraction...) and logic decisions (>, <, =, ...)
Control Unit (CU): decodes each machine instruction and sendsControl Unit (CU): decodes each machine instruction and sends
signal to other components for carrying out the instruction.signal to other components for carrying out the instruction.
An integrated circuit (IC) that is a full central processing unitAn integrated circuit (IC) that is a full central processing unit
is called a microprocessor (is called a microprocessor (µµpp); a CPU’s current instruction); a CPU’s current instruction
and data values are stored temporally inside the CPU inand data values are stored temporally inside the CPU in
special high-speed memory location called registers.special high-speed memory location called registers.
CPU speed: ? MHz (M: Mega = 10CPU speed: ? MHz (M: Mega = 1066
, Hz=1/sec);, Hz=1/sec);

14. Computer OrganizationComputer Organization (cont.)(cont.)
MemoryMemory
A large collection of circuits, each capable ofA large collection of circuits, each capable of
storing bitstoring bit
Cells (words): manageable units; typical size is 8Cells (words): manageable units; typical size is 8
bits (1 byte), some machines are 16 bits (2bits (1 byte), some machines are 16 bits (2
bytes) and some are 32 bits or 64 bitsbytes) and some are 32 bits or 64 bits
Byte (8 bits), KB (kilobyte, 10Byte (8 bits), KB (kilobyte, 1033
≈≈ 221010
bytes), MBbytes), MB
(Megabyte, 10(Megabyte, 1066
≈≈ 222020
bytes), GB (Gigabyte, 10bytes), GB (Gigabyte, 1099
≈≈ 223030
bytes). Note: kbytes). Note: k ≠ K because 1000 ≠ 1024.≠ K because 1000 ≠ 1024.

15. Computer OrganizationComputer Organization (cont.)(cont.)
Computer memory is comparable to a collection ofComputer memory is comparable to a collection of
numbered mailboxes. To identify individual cells in anumbered mailboxes. To identify individual cells in a
machine’s main memory, each cell is assigned a uniquemachine’s main memory, each cell is assigned a unique
name, called its addressname, called its address
The organization of byte-size memory cellThe organization of byte-size memory cell
...01001000 01100101 01101100 0110111101101100 00101110
H e l l o ,ASCII
...Data
Address 0000 0101 0000 0110 0000 0111 0000 1000 0001 0001 0001 0010
Address Bus
Data Bus
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Low-order endHigh-order end
Least Significant Bit (LSB)Most Significant Bit (MSB)

16. AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Moore’s Law: Kopp, Carlo. Monash University.Moore’s Law: Kopp, Carlo. Monash University.
Melbourne, Australia. 2000.Melbourne, Australia. 2000.