Basic Knowledge of Computers

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 01:10:20 +0900

Basic Knowledge of Computers

This page explains what a computer is.

Definition of a Computer

A computer is a machine that has the following five units:

Input unit
Output unit
Storage unit
Control unit
Arithmetic logic unit

Roughly speaking, a computer is a machine that performs a specific process on a certain input and outputs the result. It can store, calculate, and output the input data. Control has the role of controlling the aforementioned four units.

What is needed to operate a computer

To operate a computer, programs (software) are needed in addition to the devices (hardware).

Programs instruct the computer on what kind of processing to perform. Programs are written in a format that the computer can understand.

An example of a program is as follows. A program that calculates the sum from 1 to an input integer:

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#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
 // Secure necessary storage area
 int n, sum = 0;

 // Output
 cout << "Please enter an integer: ";

 // Input
 cin >> n;

 // Calculation
 for (int i = 1; i <= n; i++) { // Calculation
 sum += i;
 }

 // Output
 cout << "The sum from 1 to " << n << " is " << sum << "." << endl;

 // Exit
 return 0;
}

The program is converted into machine code by a compiler, transforming it into a format that the computer can execute.

Computer on kenji.blog

Basic Knowledge of Computers

Basic Knowledge of Computers

Definition of a Computer

What is needed to operate a computer