Computer processing, Basic Computer Science

Assignment Help:

Computer Processing:

Most of the earliest computer memories have been based on physical elements which can exist in just one of the two states (on or off): such an element corresponds to one bit of information. Binary symbols are used because electronic devices can store and process them rapidly and cheaply. The physical devices used have been changed greatly,, but the principles of information representation mid manipulation within digital computers have remained essentially the same. The size of a computer can be described by the number of bits (binary digits) which its memory contains, but for most purposes larger units of storage are used to characterise machines. Generally, these are denoted by a byte which normally consists of 8 bits, and is sufficient to represent one character, and a word which can be of length -8, 16, 32 bits, is the smallest unit of storage to which most of the computer's instructions can be applied. Memories are usually described as being of a size measured in Kilobytes (K bytes) or Megabytes (M bytes). The sets or patterns of bits which make up bytes and words are used to represent all information within a computer, whether it is program instructions or data items.

The exact method of representation will vary from one machine to another, particularly with respect to instructions formats. An 8 bit byte can accommodate 256 different bit patterns and so it is sufficient to allow for most of the characters which could be required to be printed, e.g., upper and lower case letters A-Z, together with the numbers 0-9 and also a range of punctuation symbols, with allowance for non-printing characters such as end-of-line. The set of bit patterns corresponding to a set of characters is called a character code. Standard codes are ASCII  and EBCDIC. Numbers are normally represented by one or more computer words. Incase of integers, the set of 8,16, or 32 bits (as per the computer's word length) is treated as a binary integer (i.e., encoded in the notation of binary arithmetic). A real number is represented by dividing a computer word into two components: a simple decimal number (i.e., the mantissa portion) together with the power to which it must be raised (i.e., the exponent).  


Related Discussions:- Computer processing

Function, Function: The purpose of a function is to take in a number of v...

Function: The purpose of a function is to take in a number of values or arguments, do some calculations with those arguments and then return a single result.  Each language has d

Algorithms, 1. In each of the following situations, indicate whether f = O...

1. In each of the following situations, indicate whether f = O(g), or f = O(g), or both (in which case f = T(g)). Briefly explain why. (a) f(n)=10n5 +8n2,g(n)=20n4 +7n3 +300 (b) f

Ipv4 and ipv6, IPv6 documented in 1994 (RFC 1752) is still a collection...

IPv6 documented in 1994 (RFC 1752) is still a collection of Draft and Proposed standards Several pre-standard implementations exist IPv6 was intended to be a pragmatic up

Overall functions , OVERALL FUNCTIONS : There are three points that must b...

OVERALL FUNCTIONS : There are three points that must be borne firmly in mind when considering the use of computers in laboratory management. Overall Function This includes

Java Assignment, Hi? are you conversant with Java that is J2SE 6 coz i have...

Hi? are you conversant with Java that is J2SE 6 coz i have assignments on this area?

Readymade versus custom-made software, READYMADE VERSUS CUSTOM-MADE SOFTWAR...

READYMADE VERSUS CUSTOM-MADE SOFTWARE Nursing care software can be in two forms. Software can be custom-made with the help of a computer programmer, suited for a client with v

Magnetic core memory, MAGNETIC CORE MEMORY: This type of memory is used...

MAGNETIC CORE MEMORY: This type of memory is used extensively in airborne digital systems, although integrated circuits are being developed with most modern aircraft systems.

Describe the binary search algorithm, QUESTION 1 Describe the binary se...

QUESTION 1 Describe the binary search algorithm using an example of your own. QUESTION 2 (a) By showing all your workings, give a big-O estimate for f(x) = (x + 1)lo

Output options to various multimedia, The various systems (computer, softwa...

The various systems (computer, software and output devices) that are available have different limitations for output that is cartographic in nature. Some systems are CAD, GIS limit

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd