Computer architecture is the study of how computers are designed and how they function. It encompasses the hardware and software components that make up a computer system.

Components of Computer Architecture

At a high level, computer architecture can be broken down into three main components:

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Memory
• Input/Output (I/O) Devices

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is the brain of the computer and is responsible for executing instructions. It consists of several components, including:

• Control Unit
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• Registers

The control unit fetches instructions from memory and decodes them, while the ALU performs mathematical and logical operations. Registers are small, fast memory locations used to store data that the CPU is currently working with.

Memory

Memory is used to store data and instructions that the CPU needs to execute. There are several types of memory in a computer system, including:

• Cache Memory
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Cache memory is the fastest type of memory and is used by the CPU to store frequently accessed data. RAM is used to temporarily store data and instructions that the CPU is currently working with, while ROM contains instructions that are used to start up the computer.

Input/Output (I/O) Devices

I/O devices are used to interact with the computer system. Examples of I/O devices include keyboards, mice, printers, and displays. These devices allow users to input data into the computer system and receive output from the system.

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