Preface vii
About the Authors viii
Roadmap to the Syllabus ix
Chapter 1 Introduction to Computers 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 The Computer System 3
1.3 Computer Organization and
Architecture 6
1.4 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 6
1.5 Software 11
1.6 Types of Software 12
Summary 17
Exercises 19
Chapter 2 Computer Memory and Storage 20
2.1 Introduction 20
2.2 Memory Hierarchy 21
2.3 Random Access Memory (RAM) 23
2.4 Read Only Memory (ROM) 24
2.5 Types of Secondary Storage Devices 25
2.6 Magnetic Tape 26
2.7 Magnetic Disk 28
2.8 Types of Magnetic Disk 31
2.9 Optical Disk 34
2.10 Types of Optical Disks 36
2.11 Magneto-optical Storage Devices 40
2.12 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 41
2.13 Memory Stick 42
2.14 Mass Storage Devices