Video: How Computers Calculate - The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

How Computers Calculate: The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Welcome to this module on the fundamental building blocks of a computer. Have you ever wondered how a machine can perform complex calculations, from simple addition to running sophisticated programs? The answer lies in a tiny but powerful component: the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU).

In this section, you will be watching the Crash Course Computer Science video, "How Computers Calculate - the ALU." This video will take you on a journey into the heart of a computer's processor to reveal how it performs mathematical and logical operations.

What You Will Learn

In this video, you will explore:

• The role of the ALU: Understand why the ALU is considered the "mathematical brain" of a computer.
• Building with logic gates: Discover how simple logic gates like AND, OR, and NOT can be combined to create circuits that can add numbers.
• From simple to complex addition: See how half adders and full adders are used to build a ripple-carry adder, which can add multi-bit binary numbers.
• Logical operations: Explore the "logic" part of the ALU and how it performs comparisons and makes decisions.

By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how computers perform calculations at a fundamental level, a crucial concept for anyone interested in computer science, programming, or electronics. Let's get started!