Software & Hardware

Software & Hardware

Software:

Software is a set of instruction that a computer executes to carry out any task. Without software the computer is an use less machine. People used to call software as the soul of the computer.

Software can be broadly classified into two categories.

System Software:

System softwares are those which are used to maintain the computer or to create other softwares. Example for the system softwares are operating system, language compilers, and the programs that control the input an output devices such as printer and mouse (device drivers).

Application software:

Application softwares are those which we use to perform out operations like, typing a letter or to maintain an address list. Word processing, spreadsheet, packages, database management softwares, graphics packages, and accounting softwares are a few examples for the application softwares.

Hardware:

Hardware on the other hand is the bare machine which consists of the Processing unit, input/output devices, storage devices, etc. In a microcomputer the processing unit consists the motherboard, input/output controller ( I/O controller ), display controller, disk drives, and the power system. The motherboard will contain the microprocessor, memory chips, math coprocessor, and expansion slots for the other cards. I/O controller and the display controller will be inserted in the expansion slots in the motherboard.
Introduction to microprocessors

The CPU built into a single IC is called a microprocessor.

Evolution of Microcomputer:

Intel Corporation, U.S.A introduced the first microprocessor, the Inter 4004 in 1971 which was a 4-bit microprocessor. In 1972, Intel introduced the first 8-bit microprocessor, the Intel 8008. Other 8-bit microprocessors introduced during the same time were National IMP-8 and Rockwell International PPS-8. The microprocessors introduced in the years 1971 and 1972 were the first-generation microprocessors.

In 1973, second-generation 8-bit microprocessors evolved. They were Intel 8080/8085, Fair Child F-8, Motorolla 6800, National CMP-8 and Z-80.

After 1978, the third-generation microprocessors were introduced. The processors are 16-bit wide and include typical processors such as Intel 8086 / 8088 / 80186 / 80286, Motorolla 68000 / 68010 and Zilog Z8000.

Fourth-generation microprocessors evolved in the year 1981. Intel introduced the first commercial 32-bit microprocessor Intel 432. Since 1985, more 32 - bit microprocessors have been introduced. These include Motorolla 68020, 68030 and Intel 80286. In 1989, Intel introduced the 32-bit microprocessor Intel 80486. Recently Intel has introduced a 64-bit microprocessor Intel 80586 (Pentium).

( The central processing chip in a microcomputer. Common microprocessors include the Motorola 68000, 68030, 68040 used in Macintoshes, and the Intel 286, 386, 486, and Pentium chips used in PCs. The microprocessor controls most of the core functions of the computer but can be enhanced with coprocessor chips. )

Microprocessor Architecture: (Peripherals of Microcomputer)

A microprocessor has general purpose and special purpose registers. The general purpose registers are used for storing intermediate data and operands. The special purpose registers are: the Accumulator, Program Counter and the stack pointer.

The Accumulator is used to store operands and/or to store the result of operations.

The program counter and stack pointer registers are used to keep track of the memory location from where the next instruction is to be fetched and the location of the most recent stack entry, respectively.

The Arithmetic Logic Unit in the microprocessor can add an operand in the Accumulator to an operand in another register or add an operand in the accumulator with data specified by the program. It can also Carry out Boolean Logic operations and Shift operations.

The control circuitry in the microprocessor is responsible for issuing signals to control the functions of various components within as well as external to the microprocessor as per the instructions executed. All the operations are coordinated by clock signals.