Classic Components Part I: Five Classic Components of a Computer

 The 5 Classic Components of a Computer and How They Work Together

There are five standard components that make up the modern-day computer. Let’s walk through a typical scenario of how data flows through the system.

1. Input refers to the data stream coming into the computer through input signals. Data can be input in many ways. Common input devices include keyboards, mics, cameras, mouses (mice?), etc. This data is converted to binary as it flows into the computer.
2. Once data is received into the system through an input mechanism, the computer manages the binary data through various types of memory depending on the purpose and architecture of the computer system. Typical memory management includes, D/SRAM (random access memory), Hard Disk and Flash.
3. Once the data is accessed, it is passed into the processor by the Control component. The control component defines how the data is passed into the datapath.
4. The Datapath for each computer design and is composed of ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) that manages the operations on the data within the processor registers and instructions. Once the data instructions have executed, the data is then passed out of the processor through the defined datapath.
5. The modern computer also has Output mechanisms that passes data out of the computer to a receiving unit. In today’s smartphone, these outputs include speakers, display screen and Bluetooth components.

These components work together to bring data into the system, process the data and then push the data back out of the system. Hardware engineers, architects and software developers design the specific devices, operations and behavior of the computer system to meet the business requirements.