The principle of the computer. Computer for "dummies"

Today, computer devices have become so firmly entrenched in our lives that it seems impossible to imagine our existence without them. However, most users almost never think about how all these systems work. Next, we'll look at how the computer works (for "dummies", so to speak). Of course, to describe everything in detail and highlight all technical aspects will not work (yes, this is not necessary for most people). Therefore, we confine ourselves to the main aspects, speaking in simple "human" language.

Computer for Dummies: the main components

Speaking about the device of any computer device, it should be clearly understood that it is basically based on hardware and software.

The hardware part is understood by all connected devices, which, if one can put it that way, can be touched by hands (processors, memory slots, hard drives, monitors, video, audio and sound adapters, keyboards, mice, peripherals such as printers, scanners and Etc.). In the people all these components are sometimes called "computer hardware".

The software part consists of many components, among which the operating system plays the main role, on the basis of which the hardware and other programs interact and the device drivers installed in it - special programs with which the OS can interact with the hardware itself and use it When performing certain tasks.

Hence it is not difficult to conclude that the main principle of the operation of a computer of any type is the interaction of "iron" and software components. But this is only a superficial representation. These processes will be described later.

Computer hardware

In the hardware, as many believe, the first place is the processor and RAM. In part, this is so. They provide the execution of all program commands and enable you to run certain processes.

On the other hand, if you dig deeper, not one "iron" component in itself costs nothing, because it must be connected somewhere to use it. And here the paramount importance is given to so-called motherboards (in the people - "motherboards") - special devices on which all other components, microcircuits are mounted, etc. In this sense, the basic principle of computer operation (correct functioning without failures) consists of In order to properly connect all the hardware components through the appropriate controllers to special slots or connectors on the board itself. There are rules here, for example, for the correct use of PCI buses, for connecting hard disks and removable drives using the Master / Slave principle, and so on.

It is worth mentioning separately about a permanent storage device (ROM), on which information is recorded, as it were forever, and an on-line memory device (RAM) serving to execute software components.

Types of software

The program principle of the computer implies the use of appropriate software to perform the tasks.

In general, the software is divided into several categories, among which separately can be distinguished system and application software. The system software itself includes operating systems, device drivers, and sometimes utility utilities necessary to ensure the correct operation of the entire system. This is, so to speak, a common shell, into which application programs and applications are built. The software of this type has a strict orientation, that is, it is oriented to the fulfillment of a certain task.

But since we are talking about exactly what the basic principles of computer operation are in the general sense, the system software comes first. Next, we'll look at how the entire computer system runs.

Informatics lesson. Computer: Turning on and checking devices

Probably, many users of stationary PCs noticed that when you turn on the computer, the characteristic sound of the system dynamics is heard. Few people pay attention to it, however from the fact of its occurrence it is possible to draw a conclusion that all "iron" devices work normally.

What happens? The principle of the computer is that when power is applied to a special chip, called a primary input / output device, all devices are tested. First of all, there is detection of problems in the video adapter, because if it is not in order, the system simply can not display visual information. Only then is the type of processor and its characteristics, RAM parameters, hard disks and other devices determined. In fact, the BIOS initially stores information on the entire "hardware".

Boot Options

In addition, the download can also be interpreted as a program principle of the computer, because the verification is done in software, not in the physical way.

There is also a system for selecting a boot device (hard disk, optical media, USB-device, network, etc.). In any case, the further principle of the computer in terms of downloading is to have a so-called boot record on the device necessary to start the system.

Starting the operating system

To boot the OS, you need a special boot loader, which initializes the system kernel, which is written to the hard disk, and puts it in the RAM, after which the process control is transferred to the OS itself.

In addition, the master boot record can have more flexible settings, giving the user the choice of the bootable system. If the start is made from a removable media, the executable boot code is read from it, but the download in any variant is performed only if the BIOS detects the executable code as valid. Otherwise, a notification will appear on the screen about the impossibility of starting, like the fact that the boot partition was not found. Sometimes a partition table is used, which contains information about all logical disks on which the hard drive can be divided. Among other things, access to information directly depends on the structure of the organization of files, which is called the file system (FAT, NTFS, etc.).

Note that this is the most primitive interpretation of the boot process, since in fact everything is much more complicated.

Computer Memory: Running Programs

So, the operating system has booted. Now let us dwell on the issues of the functioning of programs and applications. For their implementation, first of all, the CPU and RAM are responsible, not to mention the drivers of other devices involved.

The principle of the computer's memory is that when running an executable file of a program or other object from ROM or removable media, when the application performs a complementary role, some accompanying components are placed in the RAM (RAM) through the kernel of the system, Libraries (although for simple programs, they may not be available), and device drivers required for work.

They provide a link between the operating system, the program itself and the user. It is clear that the larger the amount of RAM, the more components can be loaded into it and the faster processing will take place. When the interaction commands arrive, the central processor enters into the case, which performs all the computational activities in the system. When the application finishes running or when the computer is turned off, all components from the "RAM" are unloaded. But this does not always happen.

Changing System Settings

Some processes can be permanently in the RAM. Therefore, they must be stopped manually. In Windows-systems, many services start automatically, but the user they are absolutely unnecessary. In this case, the autorun option is used. In the simplest version, optimizer programs are used, which clean unnecessary processes, and remove computer garbage in automatic mode. But this is a separate conversation.