Self- paced Learning Plan Topic 2022

Subject: Computer Studies Topic: Introduction to Computer Architecture Class: 6
Learning Objectives:
• What is a Computer System?
• What are the components of a Computer System?
• What is Computer Architecture?
• How the earlier computers were like?
• What is von Neumann Architecture?
• What is the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle?
• What is Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Processor?
• What are the components of a CPU?
o Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
o Control Unit (CU)
o Cache
o Registers
o Buses
o Clock
• What is Computer Memory?
o Main or Primary Memory
o Auxiliary or Secondary Memory
• Units of Computer Memory
Explanation:
What is a computer?
A computer is a programmable device that stores, retrieves, and processes data.
Self- paced Learning Plan

What are the components of a Computer System?
Computers are built of various components:
• Software
• Hardware
Software is any program (a set of instructions) that
runs on a computer system.
Computer hardware is the physical components that a
computer system requires to function. All the input
devices and the output devices together constitute the
computer hardware. All these components must communicate with each other and provide a necessary service
to the user. The hardware of a computer includes:
What is Computer Architecture?
A computer is a complex device containing many sub-systems. Each sub-system is a piece of computer
hardware (or part of a piece of computer hardware.) How these pieces interact is called the "Computer
Architecture".
How the earlier computers were like?
Before 1943, computers like the one shown in the
adjacent picture did not store their programs in memory,
instead a series of switches had to be manually turned or
read from a paper stream. These instructions would then
be read one at a time. If you required, the computer to do
something else you would then have to manually turn all
the switches into another combination.
This situation was far from ideal, time consuming and
prone to mistakes.
What is von Neumann Architecture?
• Mathematician John von Neumann and his colleagues proposed the von Neumann architecture in 1945.
• It stated that a computer consists of:
o a processor with an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) and a control unit (CU)
o a memory unit that can communicate directly with the processor using connections called buses
o connections for input/ output devices and
o a secondary storage for saving and backing up data.
• The central computation concept of this architecture is that instructions and data are both loaded into
the same memory unit.

What is the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle?
• With program instructions and data now being stored in the same memory, a process had to be designed
to allow CPUs (Central Processing Units) to find the correct instruction and execute it. The process
that was designed is known as the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle.
• These three operations are constantly repeated by the CPU as the computer is running that allows the
CPU to work through new instructions quickly and efficiently as they are required.
Fetch This operation is triggered by the CPU causing the next instruction and data to be 'fetched' from memory
(RAM).
Decode Once the CPU has fetched the instructions and data it will then translate them into instructions
understandable by the CPU.
Execute The CPU will then execute the instructions in a logical sequence.
What is Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Processor?
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the electronic circuit responsible for executing the instructions of a
computer program. It is sometimes referred to as the microprocessor or processor. The CPU is often termed
as the “Brain” of a computer system.
What are the components of a CPU or Processor?
The central processing unit (CPU) consists
of six main components:
• Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
• Control Unit (CU)
• Cache
• Registers
• Buses
• Clock
All components work together to allow processing and system control.
Among the most well-known processor
manufacturers in the world are Intel, AMD,
Qualcomm, Motorola, Samsung, and IBM.