1.1 Anatomy of a Computer

• Motherboard: The main circuit board of the computer, allowing us to connect different components of the computer, communicate between components, and allocate power to different components.
• CPU: Central Processing Unit, also known as the "Processor", whose main function is to compute instructions, commands, and calculations.
• RAM: Random Access Memory, which serves as the computer's temporary/short-term memory, allowing it to store data for fast access.
• Hard Drive: Long-Term Memory, which is used for storing data.
• Operating System: Software that manages the computer's hardware and software resources.
• Non-volatile Memory, which can include various types of files such as documents, music, videos, and pictures.
• Power Supply Unit (PSU): The most important part of a computer, supplying enough power for all the components.
• Introducing How Computers Work: Information inside a computer is represented using electrical signals that switch on and off at incredible speeds, forming the building blocks of digital data.
• Circuits are fundamental to computers and enable them to perform complex tasks, ranging from simple calculations to simulating virtual worlds.
• Code and software play a crucial role in controlling hardware, allowing users to interact with computers and harness their capabilities effectively.
• The mouse click is a simple action, but it involves a complex chain of processes and programs within the computer's architecture.
• The CPU plays a crucial role in managing and executing instructions for various tasks, including mouse clicks.
• Programs written by humans in programming languages are compiled and stored as smaller instructions in memory.
• The CPU retrieves specific instructions from memory to handle each component related to the mouse click.
• Multiple programs, such as those for the mouse, monitor, and button, are involved in processing a single mouse click.
• The computer's architecture includes various components like peripherals, the basic input/output system, CPU, programs, and memory.
• The four tasks of a computer (input, storage, processing, output) are fundamental and common to all computers, regardless of their technology.
• Input can come from various sources, such as keyboards, mice, microphones, cameras, touch screens, and even wearable devices like smartwatches.
• Information received as input is stored in memory and then processed by a computer's processor using algorithms.
• Output from a computer can take many forms, including text, images, videos, games, and even signals for controlling external devices like robots.