Java Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Figure 4
A Motherboard
To interact with a human user, a computer requires other peripheral devices. The
computer transmits information to the user through a display screen, loudspeakers, and
printers. The user can enter information and directions to the computer by using a
keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse.
The CPU, the RAM, and the electronics controlling the hard disk and other devices are
interconnected through a set of electrical lines called a bus. Data travel along the bus
from the system memory and peripheral devices to the CPU and back.
Figure 4
shows
a motherboard, which contains the CPU, the RAM, and connectors to peripheral
devices.
Figure 5
gives a schematic overview of the architecture of a computer. Program
instructions and data (such as text, numbers, audio, or video) are stored on the hard
disk, on a CD, or on a network. When a program is started, it is brought into memory
where it can be read by the CPU. The CPU reads the program one instruction at a time.
As directed by these instructions, the CPU reads data, modifies it, and writes it back to
RAM or to secondary storage. Some program instructions will cause the CPU to
