计算机基本理论外文翻译.doc

Basic Theory of Computer A computer is a tool for manipulating and storing information. Generally speaking, a computer is an electronic device that can accept input, process it according to a set of instructions, store the instructions and the results of processing, and produce results as its outputs. A computer system consists of hardware system and software system. The hardware system is usually divided into three major parts or primary subsystems: the CPU, the memory subsystem, and the I\O subsystem. The CPU performs many operations and controls the computer. The memory subsystem is used to store program being executed by the CPU，along with the program’s data. The I\O subsystem allows the CPU to interact with input and output devices, such as the keyboard and the monitor of a personal computer. This chapter will introduce the basic components of computer system. The basic components that make up a computer system include: the CPU， memory, I\O, and the bus that connects these components together. John Von Neuman, a pioneer in computer design, gave the architecture of most computers in use today. A typical John Von Neuman system has three major parts: the central processing unit( or CPU )，memory, and input output (or I\O). How a system designs these parts impacts the system performance. In VNA machines, like the 80×86 family, the CPU is where all the actions take place. All computations occur inside the CPU. To the CPU, most I\O devices look like memory because the CPU can store data to an output device and read data form an input device. The major difference between memory and I\O device is that I\O device is generally associated the with the external devices in the outside world. The system bus connects various components of a VNA machine. The 80×86 family has three major buses: the address bus, the data bus, and the control bus. A bus is a connection of wires on which electrical signals pass through components in the system. For example, the data bus may hav