ByteTrail

Level 0 · Module 1

How computers work

Learn how computers represent information and follow instructions.

Difficulty
beginner
Published path
9 lessons · 77 min

What you will learn

  • What is a computer?
  • CPU, RAM, and storage
  • Input and output devices
  • Bits and bytes
  • Binary numbers
  • Hexadecimal
  • Machine instructions
  • CPU instruction cycle
  • Processes and programs
Prerequisites:None
Module progress0 of 9 lessons complete
Not started0 of 9 completeStart with What is a computer?

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Lessons · 77 min

  1. What is a computer?

    Build a clear first model of what every computer does.

    10 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

  2. CPU, RAM, and storage

    Understand the processor, working memory, and long-term storage as a team.

    9 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

  3. Input and output devices

    See how computers receive information from the world and communicate results.

    8 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

  4. Bits and bytes

    See how a computer represents choices, numbers, and text using only two states.

    8 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

  5. Binary numbers

    Read and write base-two numbers using place values.

    8 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

  6. Hexadecimal

    Use base sixteen as a compact, readable shorthand for binary data.

    8 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

  7. Machine instructions

    Learn how processors carry out small encoded commands.

    8 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

  8. CPU instruction cycle

    Trace how a processor fetches, decodes, executes, and records an instruction.

    9 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

  9. Processes and programs

    Distinguish stored program code from a running instance of that code.

    9 min · beginner
    Not started0 of 1 complete

What you will cover

Module units

  1. What is a computer?

    The purpose and basic model of a computer.

  2. CPU, RAM, and storage

    The main components that process and retain information.

  3. Input and output devices

    How computers receive information and communicate results.

  4. Bits and bytes

    How digital information is represented with binary states.

  5. Binary numbers

    The base-two number system used by digital circuits.

  6. Hexadecimal

    A compact base-sixteen notation for binary values.

  7. Machine instructions

    The low-level commands a processor executes.

  8. CPU instruction cycle

    How a processor fetches, decodes, and executes instructions.

  9. Processes and programs

    The difference between stored code and executing work.