Computer organization is the design of the abstracted computer components or parts. It is the field of study under computer science that deals with the overall design of a computer and its functional units (components). Computer organization studies the hardware as well the software components of a system.
Computer organization identifies only the major functional units of a computer and tries to study them. Some of the major ones are as follows:
- Instruction Codes
Instruction codes or machine codes are a set of instructions and data that can be understood by the processor of a computer. Instruction codes are unique to the processor they are made for. Popular instruction code architectures (processor architectures) are RISC, CISC and x86.
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a processor process data based on the instruction it receives. It is the most essential part of a computer without which the other components are rendered useless.
- Memory or Storage
Memory or storage is the key component in a computer system that stores data. Memory maybe classified as primary or secondary.
Primary memory or memory is used to refer to the class of devices that store data for a temporary period such as Random Access Memory (RAM). These components lose the data they contain when electrical supply to them is stopped.
Secondary memory or storage usually refers to the class of devices that store data in a more permanent way as compared to primary memory. It includes hard disks, flash drives, CDs and DVDs etc.
- Registers
Registers are part of the processor and are a kind of memory. Registers store small amount of data, accessible very quickly. Such data is usually information that is to be used immediately by the processor. Registers are processor-architecture-specific. The x86 architecture, for example, has a 32-bit register.
- Input Devices
Input devices are important components of a computer and are a part of Human-Computer Interface (HCI). They are used by the user to communicate with the computer. Some input devices are as follows:
- Keyboard
It is a typewriter-type computer peripheral that is used to input text and other characters. A keyboard can also help in controlling the operations of a computer.
- Mouse
It is a handheld, pointing device that is used to move a corresponding pointer on the computer screen by moving the device. Invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, the ‘X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System’ which we is now known as a mouse is one of the key input devices, often used in combination with a keyboard, in a Graphical User Interface (GUI). There are various variations of a mouse referred to as pointing devices such as Trackball, Light Pen etc.
- Joysticks
Joysticks are hand-operated sticks that connect to a computer. These are pivoted to a base in an upright position and can move in any direction. They are mostly two-dimensional, that is, they use two axises, X and Y. They are important in games that allow controlling the objects in the game using a joystick. Examples of such objects are cars, bikes, cycles and aircrafts etc. They are quite similar to the ‘joysticks’ used to fly combat aircrafts.
- Output Devices
Output devices are also a part of the Human Computer Interface and are used by a computer to show information to the user. Some of the output devices are as follows:
- Monitors
Computer monitors are devices that show information as generated by a computer on a monitor screen. In look and feel, a computer monitor is similar to a Television. However, they are more apt for use with a computer as they support a large variety of that make viewing, an enriching experience.
- Printers
Printers are computer devices that print results on a paper sheet. These devices are used to get what is called a hardcopy of data on a computer. They come in various varieties that use Lasers, Ink jets, or impact to print on a surface. A printer may be color or monochrome.
- Speakers
Speakers are used for audio output. They may not be part of a computer necessarily.
