Chapter 1 - Data Processing: Definition of Terms
Chapter 1 - Data Processing: Definition of Terms
Chapter 1 - Data Processing: Definition of Terms
Definition of terms
CPU: (Central Processing Unit) the main part of the computer, which executes the instruction
given by the program. A microprocessor will process data into information. Two parts of CPU:
Input: a process entering data into computer to be processed.
Output: any computer generated information displayed on screen, printed, sound, data transfer
across phone line of network connection or in some machine readable form, such as disc and
tape
Memory storage: a place to store data, programmer information for a computer
CPU
consists of 2 components:
1. Control Unit
can be thought of as the brain of the CPU itself. It controls based on the instructions it
decodes, how other parts of the CPU and in turn, rest of the computer systems should work
in order that the instruction gets executed in a correct manner.
ALU stands for Arithmetic/Logic Unit
is the part that executes the computer's commands
A command must be either a basic arithmetic operation: + - × /
or one of the logical comparisons: >< =not=
Everything has to be broken down into these few operations.
The ALU can only do one thing at a time but can work extremely fast.
2. Main Memory
stores the commands that the CPU executes and the results
is where the computer stores the data and commands that are currently being used. When
the computer is turned off, all data in Main Memory vanishes
consists of 5 components:
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a. Component 1
Operating system
Some common operating systems are various versions of Windows, Windows XP,
Windows 2003, Windows 2007, OS/2. These all behave in very different ways
and have different hardware requirements. So they won't all run on all machines.
b. Component 2
Applications
are various programs that are currently running on the computer, for example:
Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, etc we can run more than one applications
once using a computer- this is called multi-tasking.
each running application has to have some data stored in Main Memory, even if
the application is on rest break. Some programs (especially graphics programs)
require a lot of the Main Memory space
c. Component 3
Input/ Output Storage When you enter new data, the keystrokes must be stored
until the computer can do something with the new data.
When you want data printed out or displayed, it must be stored somewhere
handy first.
d. Component 4
Working Storage To store the numbers and characters that are the intermediate
results of computer operations until the final values are calculated. These values
"in progress" are kept in temporary locations.
For example, if the computer is adding up the numbers 3, 5, and 6, it would first
add 3 to 5 which yields a value of 8. The 8 is stored in working storage. Then the
8 and 6 are added and the new value 14 is stored. The value of 14 is now
available to be displayed on the screen or to be printed or to be used in another
calculation.
e. Component 5
Unused Storage There is always some storage space that is not in use.
If space runs out in Main Memory, the computer will crash, that is, stop working.
The CPU can fetch one piece of data in one machine cycle.
- It takes numerous cycles to do even a simple addition of two numbers.
Action Meaning
Fetch get an instruction/data from Main Memory
Decode translate it into computer commands
Execute actually process the command
BYTE
Eight bits that grouped together as a unit. A byte provides enough different combinations id 0s and
1s to represent 256 individual characters.
1. Byte ia a unit of information built from bits. One byte is equals to 8 bits.
2. One byte represents a single character such as the number 3, letter b or a $ symbol.
3. Bits and bytes are the basics for representing all meaningful information and programs
on computers.
CHARATER
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CHARACTER CODE
1. There are three codes to represent character which are ASCII, EBCDIC and Unicode.
2. Each byte contains eight bits. A byte provides enough different combination of 0s and 1s
to represent 256 characters.
3. The combination of 0s and 1s are define by patterns. These patterns are called coding
scheme.
4. The 256-character capability of ASCII and EBCDIC is too small to handle the characters
that are used by other languages such as Arabic, Japanese and Chinese.
5. The Unicode coding scheme is designed to solve problem. Is uses two bytes (16 bits) to
represent. Unicode will have more than 65000 different. This can cover all the world’s
languages.
ASCII pronounced as ‘ask-key’ stands for the American Standard Code for information
Interchange and was proposed by ASA in 1963 and was finalized in 1968.
1 2
3 4
ADDITION BINARY
Addition Rules
Here are the addition facts that you need when additing numbers in
binary notation.Explain these addition facts by converting numbers to
decimal notation. The rst one is done for you:
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* Solution: 0+1=1
* Solution: 1+1=2
1. Explain which of these addition facts will lead to car- rying when you
are adding bigger numbers.Now explain this problem in binary notation:
1 0
+ 1 1
1 0 1
2. Solve the following addition problems (be careful as carrying may
be involved). Remember to box your solutions! Check your work by solv- ing
the problem in decimal notation on the side.
Binary Notation Decimal Notation
.)
Solution: 1 1 1 1
b.)
Solution: 1 1 1 0 1
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(10 + 5 = 15)
(15 + 14 = 29)