Computer Hardware and Networking

What is BIOS

Basic Input Output System

It is an essential set of programs(routines) stored on a chip on the motherboard of a computer.

It acts as an intermediary between computer hardware and its operating system without BIOS, the PC's operating system cannot be communicate with, Or take control, of the hardware.

How BIOS works

---- Power On Self Test (POST)

---- Bootstrap Loader

----- Setup utility program

---- BIOS drivers

Function of BIOS

(I) power on self test(POST)

BIOS conducts power-on-self-test(POST) built-in Diagnostic program that checks whether the computer has all of the necessary parts and functioning properly, such as memory and keyboard.

(II) Bootstrap Loader

Helps in loading the operating system.

The program searches for any available operating system and if found, it loads the operating system into RAM of the computer.

(III) Setup Utility Program

A non-volatile memory (NVRAM) is used to store information about the computer system.

During installation of a system the user runs BIOS setup program and enters the correct parameters.

The settings of memory, disk types and other setting are stored in NVRAM.

(IV) BIOS Drivers

BIOS drivers are collection of programs stored in one or more EEPROM and EPROM (memory) chips,depending on the computer design on the motherboard.

Benefits of BIOS for Desktop / Laptop

---- Enforcing Security

---- Hardware Monitoring

---- Operating system Booting

---- Hardware Testing

---- Hardware Troubleshooting

Compiler

It is a program which translates a high level language program into machine language program.Compiler is more intelligent than and assembler it checks all kinds of limits Rangers error etc,. but it's program run time is more and occupies a large part of the memory. It has low speed because a compiler goes through the entire program and then translate the entire program into machine code for . If compiler runs on a computer and produce the machine codes for the same computer then it it is known as a self compiler and resident compiler.On the other hand if a compiler runs a computer and produces the machine code for other computer than is known as a cross compiler.

Interpreter

An interpreter is a program which you translate statements of a program into machine code it translate only one statement of the program at a time it reads only one statement of program translate it and executes it then it reads the next statement of the computer program again translate it and execute it in this way it proceeds further till all the statements are translated and executed on the other hand a compiler goes through the entire program and the translate the entire program into machine code.It occupies less memory space so it can be used in a smaller system which has Limited memory space

Assembler

A Computer will not understand any program written in language, other than its machine language. The programs written in other languages must be translated into the machine language. Such translation is performed with the help of software. A program which translates an assembly language program into machine language program is called assembler. If an assembler which runs on a computer and produce the machine codes for the same computer than it is called self assembler or residence assembler. If an assembler that runs on a computer and produce the machine codes for other computer then it called cross assembler.