电子与 及通信工程专业英语Unit 17 Computer Hardware Fundamentals.pptVIP

;　　1. The central processing unit　　The central processing unit (CPU) is the heart of the computer systems. Among other things, its configuration determines whether a computer is fast or slow in relation to other computers. The CPU is the most complex computer system component, responsible for directing most of the computer system activities based on the instructions provided. ;As one computer generation has evolved to the next, the physical size of the CPU has often become smaller and smaller, while its speed and capacity have increased tremendously. Indeed, these changes have resulted in microcomputers that are small enough to fit on your desk or your lap.　　The CPU comprises the control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU).;　　The control unit is responsible for directing and coordinating most of the computer systems activities. It determines the movement of electronic signals between main memory and the arithmetic/logic unit, as well as the control signals between the CPU and input/output devices.　　Just as a car is useless without gas, a computer is not much good without software instructions. When we use software, we are working with high level instructions that are to be carried out by the control unit. These instructions are converted by a language processor into a low level form of instructions that the computer can work with machine language, ;the only language that the CPU can understand. In machine language, data and instructions are represented in binary form (0s and 1s). Once the instructions have been converted into this form, they can be retrieved from main memory and interpreted by the control unit. According to each specific instruction, the control unit issues the necessary signals to other computer system components as needed to satisfy the processing requirements[1]. This could involve, for example, directing that data be retrieved from a disk storage device, “telling” the printer to print the letter you just wrote, or simply directing the ar