Overview

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The personal computer has evolved into a complex machine capable of exchanging data with a wide range of input and output devices.

The heart of any computer system is the processor. The processor receives input from a variety of components and outputs it in many different forms.

Data is moved in and out of the computer on buses: groups of parallel conductors which can carry several bits of data at a time. The conductors in an electrical bus can be compared to the lanes of a superhighway. The more lanes of traffic, the faster data can be moved from one place to another.

Not all the pages in this section are completed as yet. Check the links page for more information.

There is an Adobe Acrobat® version, although the web pages are more complete and up-to-date.