The Mechanics Of Computers

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The Mechanics Of Computers

• The Operating System (OS) Hardware

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Role Of The Operating System (OS)

• During start up (booting up)
• Diagnose internal circuits.
• Send signals to the screen and internal sound
  card.
• Search for any attached peripherals.
• Load common routines for controlling the computer.

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Role Of The OS, Cont.

• During Operation
• Translates keystrokes, including mouse functions,
  for the internal hardware.
• Performs those common routines such as saving,
  printing, etc.
• Manages your desktop to allow multiple
  applications to run simultaneously and
  communicate to each other.
• Allows interaction and communication with
  external devices over networks, through expansion
  cards, serial and/or parallel buses, etc.

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The Look Of The OS

• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• The single reason, in my opinion, for the
  proliferation of the use of computers in music.
• It components
• Mouse gestures
• Icons
• Windows
• Menus
• Buttons

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Files, Folders, and Volumes

• Files - the smallest unit of organization (data
  structure) for which there is an icon
  representation of which there are three types
• Applications - referred to as programs
• Data files - created by the application
• Resource files - special files that add
  functionality to applications
• Folders or Directories - storage bins used to
  organized files on the computer
• Volumes - hard drives, floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs
  and other physical mediums where all files and
  folders are stored.

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The Four Stages To Computer Operations (IPOS)

• Input Stage - represents those devices we use to
  get information into the computer, e.g.,
  keyboard, mouse, or MIDI keyboard.
• Process Stage - where the central processing unit
  (CPU), memory (RAM and ROM), and timing clock
  stores the information received.
• Output Stage - where the computer represents
  those devices used to get the information, e.g.,
  video displays, printers, speakers, etc.
• Storage Stage - where devices like floppy
  diskettes, hard disks, and CD-ROMs saves your
  data.

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The Main Parts Of A Computer

• Central Processing Unit (CPU) - an electronic
  circuit referred to as the microprocessor
  integrated circuit (chip) that serves as the
  brain of the computer and coordinates the flow of
  data in and out of the computer.
• Motherboard - the main flat plastic board on
  which the CPU chip and other electronic circuitry
  is located, including chips for memory, video,
  and sound.
• Memory (RAM and ROM)
• Random-Access Memory (RAM) - Memory that is
  written to by normal computer use and stored
  temporarily. Also referred to as read-and-write
  memory.
• Read-Only Memory (ROM) - Memory that stores
  permanent instructions and programs by the
  manufacturer (called firmware) to prevent the
  possibility of it being erased.

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The Main Parts Of A Computer, cont.

• System Clock - a precision quartz clock that
  determine speed and rate (clock speed) at which
  instructions are processed, measured in megahertz
  (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz).
• Interfaces -
• Internal parallel bus which allows the CPU,
  motherboard, memory, and clock to connect and
  communicate.
• External bus (daughter boards) - allows external
  devices to communicate with the motherboard of
  which some common types are
• NuBus (although these have been mostly phased
  out)
• Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI bus)
• Personal Computer Memory Card International
  Association (PCMCIA) or PC Card, for short.
• Keyboard, Mouse, Storage Disks, Network
  Connectors

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