How computers work?

It is possible to indicate four steps in operations of a computer to process data. Fifth step is optional.

Step 1

Raw data is usually kept in some storage, it can be a drive in the system or data in removable media. That data is loaded into memory for processing. Access to memory is much faster than access this data from a storage media.

Step 2

Input to manipulate that data is provided. It can be a keystroke or pressing a button of a mouse. Providing an input is an optional step. I think of applications that don't require input, but perform some operations. 

We perform operations in order to indicate what is needed to be done with the input.

Step 3

Data is processed by a computer.

Step 4

Processed data is then outputted. Output may manifest differently. It could be displayed in the monitor, information can be printed, or in case of audio file, that audio file will generate some audio output.

Step 5

An optional step is return modified data back to storage. It does not always happen, for example, when data is just printed, then there is no modification that was done to that data. If there is modification of that data, it is a good idea to store it in some sort of medium for storage.

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