Chapter 1. The Core of Computing: How the Key Elements of Hardware Work Together

Even experienced computer users have at best a sketchy idea of how a computer really works. They know how to launch and use applications. They can connect to the Internet, surf the Web, play games, or whatever. Some of the most advanced (and fearless) users are even able to install internal components, such as memory modules or network "boards." But few people actually stop to think about how a computer carries out the functions that it is asked to perform. If they did, they would be surprised at how easy it is to understand. Like Mr. Spock on Star Trek, everything in a computer is logical. You don't have to be an engineer or a scientist to learn how things work. And mastering these core principles of computing is worth your while. Once you do, you will become a far more knowledgeable participant in today's "information society."

This chapter deals, for the most part, with the heart of computing—the CPU (Central Processing Unit). If you tell the computer to do something—display a character on the screen, draw a line, or add two numbers—the CPU either completes the work itself or manages the parts that do. Once you understand the role of the CPU, you can quickly and easily branch out to learn how other parts of the computing system work. By the end of this chapter, you will be familiar with

• The basic components and operations of a computer

• The functions of the CPU

• How it is possible for CPUs to become faster and more effective every year

• How the CPU is being adapted to fit a diverse array of tasks