Logical bases of the computer

Any device or mechanism created by a person is built on the basis of certain patterns of its operation that will distinguish it through application features and functionality. The need to meet immediate needs is the main incentive for developing new types of machines, technologies, etc. Such an opportunity is provided by the accumulation of knowledge in many fields of science and technology, the use of which allows us to create, first, the logical prerequisites for new fields of technology, for example, the logical foundations of computers, and then implement them in new types of equipment. In simple human language this is called "technical progress".

The impetus for the emergence of a computer has become two driving motives: the need for large volumes of processing information and achievements in various fields of science and technology (electricity, mathematics, physics and semiconductor technology, metallurgy and many others). The first samples of electronic computers confirmed the principles of computer operation and the era of rapid development of a new class of technical objects, called "electronic computers".

To implement the technical idea of the computing device, the logical foundations of the computer were formulated using algebra of logic, which determined the set of functions and the theoretical basis. The laws of the algebra of logic, which defined the logical foundations of the computer, was formulated back in the 19th century by the Englishman J. Boule. In fact, this is the theoretical basis of digital information processing systems. Its essence is the rules of logical relationships between numbers: conjunction, disjunction and others, which is very similar to the well-known basic relationships between numbers in arithmetic - multiplication, addition, etc. The numbers in the Boolean algebra have a binary representation, i.e. They are represented only 1 and 0 in numbers. The operations with numbers are described by additional symbols of the algebra of logic. These elements of mathematics allow a combination of the simplest logical laws to describe any computational task or control action by special symbols, that is, "write a program". Using the input device, this program is "loaded" into the computer and serves as an "order" for it, which must be performed.

The input device converts incoming symbols into electrical signals in the form of binary code, and actions on them - transfers and transformations that implement arithmetic and logical operations are performed by electronic devices called gates, adders, triggers, etc. They make up the technical stuffing of the computer, where their number reaches tens of thousands of elements.

The design of the computer contains 4 main nodes: UU - control node, RAM and ROM - operational and permanent memory node, ALU - arithmetic logic unit, UVB - input device. Of course, each of them respects the logical foundations of the computer. The workflow of the computer consists of loading a work program in RAM or ROM, written in special codes, which is stored on punched cards, magnetic tapes, magnetic and optical disks and other storage media. This program is designed to manipulate the CU with streams of current or working information and obtain a programmed result, for example, display the image on the monitor or convert the audio signal to digital, etc. To this end, the UE performs a number of transfers of information blocks between all devices that are part of the computer.

The main "think tank" of the computer is the ALU - the executor of all arithmetic and logical operations. Currently, the ALU function performs a device called a processor or microprocessor, which is a semiconductor device the size of a couple of match boxes, with a set of an incredible number of functions. Gradually, the functions of controlling external devices-monitors, printers, etc., were added to the microprocessor. Recent developments in this field have allowed to create microprocessors with a full set of functional devices of the computer, thanks to which single-chip computers of pocket format and capabilities of a full-fledged computer appeared. Surprisingly, the logical foundations of computers developed at one time for the first computing devices have not changed to this day.