How does a comp retrieve info from cd's? How does a cd function?

Question

You put a cd in and it works. Fine, but how does the comp read it.

Answer 1

A low level laser (~200 degrees celcius) read the PITs (0's) and LANDS (1's) on the data foil layer of a CD. The data, (0's and 1's), is basic binary code for a computer, and is what machine-language consists of. The data read from the CD is the sent to the control unit (CU) of your computer, where it is determined whether or not the process is mathmatic or not. If it consists of math, logic, or comparisons, the data is then transmitted to the ALU (arithmatic logic unit), otherwise, the process is done in the CU. The output is then sent to memory (RAM or HD) and then your output device, monitor or printer.

Answer 2

The computer reads a CD the same way that a CD player does. It uses an optical laser. As far as the information stored on the CD, it's stored the same in the same format as information on the hard drive. A computer's native language is binary sequences. This is what it reads off the CD and turns into instructions.

Answer 3

There is a laser in the computer that reads these microscopic pits and flats (look kinda like dents) in the CD. The computer processes this information through electrical pulses in its computer chips that consist of diodes and transistors. Then it sends the information to the monitor so you can read it.