In previous units, we covered the basic configuration of computer systems, von Neumann architecture, data representation, and simple instruction execution. This unit addresses how a computer performs computations. It introduces fundamental components such as logic gates, binary adders, logic circuits, and combinational circuits, which are crucial to any computer system. Additionally, the unit discusses the characteristics of integrated digital circuits.

Objectives

After going through this unit you will be able to :

• define logic gates;
• describe the significance of Boolean algebra in digital circuit design
• describe the necessity of minimizing the number of gates in design;
• describe how basic mathematical operations, viz. addition and subtraction, are performed by computer; and
• define and describe some of the useful circuits of a computer system such as multiplexer, decoders, ROM etc.