How Computer Works
Computer does different types of tasks for me. I wonder, how it works?
Computer works very systematically. To perform any task for us, it requires data and instructions from us. After
taking data and instructions, it completes the given task in multiple steps. The steps to complete a given task are called
Input- Output cycle.
Input-Output Cycle:
Computer works in the following steps:
1. Computer takes data and Instructions from us through input devices and stores them into its Random Access
Memory, called RAM.
2. Microprocessor then reads the data and instructions from RAM. It carries out instructions and generate results. It
stores result back into RAM.
3. From RAM, the result is transferred to the output device.
4. All those results that are required in future are stored on some suitable storage device of computer.
Note: These steps of computer functioning are called Input-Output Cycle or I-O Cycle in short.
The Input-Output cycle of computer is shown in the following diagram:
Note: The main memory of the computer holds the input and transitional output in the course of the processing.
What Is Data:The items that are given to computer for processing are called Data. Data can be any combination of
numbers, alphabets and special characters.
For Example: Two numbers, 300 and 30 entered into computer will be termed as data. Similarly, the name Rajesh
and numbers, 85, 95 and 90 given to computer are also data.
Definition: Raw facts and figures are called data.
What Is Instruction: Instructions are the commands given to the computer to perform a task. Without instructions
computer doesn't understand what is to be done with the data.
For Example: Add is an instruction. When it is provided to the computer along with data then computer knows that it
has to add the given numbers and calculate the result.
Similarly, following are few more instructions:
(i) Subtract 30 from 300.
(ii) Multiply 300 from 30.
(iii) Divide 300 from 30.
What Is Processing: The process of manipulating data is called processing.
For Example: The process of adding the numbers is called processing.
Similarly, when other arithmetic operations like subtraction, multiplication and division etc. are performed then they
are also referred to as processing.
What Is Information: The result obtained after processing the data is called information.
For Example: The result 330, obtained after adding 300 and 30 is information.
What Is Garbage: In computer terminology, anything that is wrong, is called Garbage.
For Example:
1. Wrong Data is garbage
2. Wrong instruction is garbage.
3. Wrong result is garbage.
Computer works on Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO) principle.
Garbage In And Garbage Out Principle: Garbage In Garbage Out principle states that, if we input garbage into
computer, it will give garbage output.
Garbage In Garbage Out principle is explained below through various examples.
Example -1 Providing Garbage Data:
Say, we were supposed to add two numbers 300 and 30 and calculate the result. But by mistake, we provided a wrong
data to the computer.
In this case, wrong result will be shown by computer.
Example - 2 Providing Garbage Instructions
Say, we were supposed to add two numbers 30 and 30 and calculate the result. But by mistake, we provided wrong
instructions to computer.
In this case, wrong result will be shown by computer.
Example - 3 Providing Garbage Data and Instructions
Say, we were supposed to add two numbers 300 and 300 and calculate the result. But by mistake we provided wrong
data and instructions to computer. In this case, wrong result will be shown by the computer.
Example - 4 Providing Correct Data and Correct Instructions
Say, we were supposed to add two numbers 300 and 30 and calculate the result. We provided correct data and correct
instructions to computer. In this case, correct result will be shown by the computer.
Computer works on Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO) principle, which is summarised below.