Basic Functional Units

A computer system consists of mainly four basic units; namely input unit, storage unit, central
processing unit and output unit. Central Processing unit further includes Arithmetic logic unit
and control unit, as shown in the figure:.

A computer performs five major operations or functions irrespective of its size and make. These
are

• it accepts data or instructions as input,

• it stores data and instruction

• it processes data as per the instructions,

• it controls all operations inside a computer, and

• it gives results in the form of output.

Functional Units:

a. Input Unit: This unit is used for entering data and programs into the computer system by the
user for processing.

b. Storage Unit: The storage unit is used for storing data and instructions before and after
processing.

c. Output Unit: The output unit is used for storing the result as output produced by the computer
after processing.

d. Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations is called
processing. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and instructions from the storage unit
and makes all sorts of calculations based on the instructions given and the type of data provided.
It is then sent back to the storage unit. CPU includes Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control
unit

 Arithmetic Logic Unit: All calculations and comparisons, based on the instructions
provided, are carried out within the ALU. It performs arithmetic functions like addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division and also logical operations like greater than, less than
and equal to etc.
 Control Unit: Controlling of all operations like input, processing and output are
performed by control unit. It takes care of step by step processing of all operations in side
the computer.

Memory

Computer’s memory can be classified into two types; primary memory and secondary memory

a. Primary Memory can be further classified as RAM and ROM.

• RAM or Random Access Memory is the unit in a computer system. It is the place in a computer
where the operating system, application programs and the data in current use are kept
temporarily so that they can be accessed by the computer’s processor. It is said to be ‘volatile’
since its contents are accessible only as long as the computer is on. The contents of RAM are no
more available once the computer is turned off.

ROM or Read Only Memory is a special type of memory which can only be read and contents of
which are not lost even when the computer is switched off. It typically contains manufacturer’s
instructions. Among other things, ROM also stores an initial program called the ‘bootstrap
loader’ whose function is to start the operation of computer system once the power is turned on.

b. Secondary Memory

RAM is volatile memory having a limited storage capacity. Secondary/auxiliary memory is

storage other than the RAM. These include devices that are peripheral and are connected and
controlled by the computer to enable permanent storage of programs and data.

 CD ROM

Secondary storage devices are of two types; magnetic and optical. Magnetic devices include hard
disks and optical storage devices are CDs, DVDs, Pen drive, Zip drive etc.

• Hard Disk

Hard disks are made up of rigid material and are usually a stack of metal disks sealed in a box.
The hard disk and the hard disk drive exist together as a unit and is a permanent part of the
computer where data and programs are saved. These disks have storage capacities ranging from
1GB to 80 GB and more. Hard disks are rewritable.

• Compact Disk

Compact Disk (CD) is portable disk having data storage capacity between 650-700 MB. It can
hold large amount of information such as music, full-motion videos, and text etc. CDs can be
either read only or read write type.

• Digital Video Disk

Digital Video Disk (DVD) is similar to a CD but has larger storage capacity and enormous
clarity. Depending upon the disk type it can store several Gigabytes of data. DVDs are primarily
used to store music or movies and can be played back on your television or the computer too.
These are not rewritable.
Input / Output Devices:

These devices are used to enter information and instructions into a computer for storage or
processing and to deliver the processed data to a user. Input/Output devices are required for users
to communicate with the computer. In simple terms, input devices bring information INTO the
computer and output devices bring information OUT of a computer system. These input/output
devices are also known as peripherals since they surround the CPU and memory of a computer
system.

Input Devices

An input device is any device that provides input to a computer. There are many input devices,
but the two most common ones are a keyboard and mouse. Every key you press on the keyboard
and every movement or click you make with the mouse sends a specific input signal to the
computer.

• Keyboard: The keyboard is very much like a standard typewriter keyboard with a few
additional keys. The basic QWERTY layout of characters is maintained to make it easy to use
the system. The additional keys are included to perform certain special functions. These are
known as function keys that vary in number from keyboard to keyboard.

• Mouse: A device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. A
mouse is a small object you can roll along a hard and flat surface. Its name is derived from its
shape, which looks a bit like a mouse. As you move the mouse, the pointer on the display screen
moves in the same direction.

• Trackball: A trackball is an input device used to enter motion data into computers or other
electronic devices. It serves the same purpose as a mouse, but is designed with a moveable ball
on the top, which can be rolled in any direction.

• Touchpad: A touch pad is a device for pointing (controlling input positioning) on a computer
display screen. It is an alternative to the mouse. Originally incorporated in laptop computers,
touch pads are also being made for use with desktop computers. A touch pad works by sensing
the user’s finger movement and downward pressure. • Touch Screen: It allows the user to
operate/make selections by simply touching the display screen. A display screen that is sensitive
to the touch of a finger or stylus. Widely used on ATM machines, retail point-of-sale terminals,
car navigation systems, medical monitors and industrial control panels.

• Light Pen: Light pen is an input device that utilizes a light-sensitive detector to select objects
on a display screen.
• Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR): MICR can identify character printed with a
special ink that contains particles of magnetic material. This device particularly finds
applications in banking industry.

• Optical mark recognition (OMR): Optical mark recognition, also called mark sense reader is
a technology where an OMR device senses the presence or absence of a mark, such as pencil
mark. OMR is widely used in tests such as aptitude test.

• Bar code reader: Bar-code readers are photoelectric scanners that read the bar codes or
vertical zebra strips marks, printed on product containers. These devices are generally used in
super markets, bookshops etc.

Scanner
Scanner is an input device that can read text or illustration printed on paper and translates the
information into a form that the computer can use. A scanner works by digitizing an image.

Output Devices:

Output device receives information from the CPU and presents it to the user in the desired from.
The processed data, stored in the memory of the computer is sent to the output unit, which then
converts it into a form that can be understood by the user. The output is usually produced in one
of the two ways – on the display device, or on paper (hard copy).

•Monitor: is often used synonymously with “computer screen” or “display.” Monitor is an

output device that resembles the television screen (fig. 1.8). It may use a Cathode Ray Tube
(CRT) to display information. The monitor is associated with a keyboard for manual input of
characters and displays the information as it is keyed in. It also displays the program or
application output. Like the television, monitors are also available in different sizes. • Printer:
Printers are used to produce paper (commonly known as hard copy) output. Based on the
technology used, they can be classified as Impact or Non-impact printers.

Impact printers use the typewriting printing mechanism wherein a hammer strikes the paper
through a ribbon in order to produce output. Dot-matrix and Character printers fall under this
category.

Non-impact printers do not touch the paper while printing. They use chemical, heat or electrical
signals to etch the symbols on paper. Inkjet, Deskjet, Laser, Thermal printers fall under this
category of printers.
• Plotter: Plotters are used to print graphical output on paper. It interprets computer commands
and makes line drawings on paper using multi colored automated pens. It is capable of producing
graphs, drawings, charts, maps etc. • Facsimile (FAX): Facsimile machine, a device that can
send or receive pictures and text over a telephone line. Fax machines work by digitizing an
image.

Plotter

• Sound cards and Speaker(s): An expansion board that enables a computer to manipulate and
output sounds. Sound cards are necessary for nearly all CD-ROMs and have become
commonplace on modern personal computers. Sound cards enable the computer to output sound
through speakers connected to the board, to record sound input from a microphone connected to
the computer, and manipulate sound stored on a disk.