How does electricity manipulate the physical environment in a computer?

I'm trying to understand how a computer program uses electricity to communicate with the physical hardware in the computer. As far as I understand it now, a computer uses. Binary code to communicate. I also know that the binary code is physically represented through electronic components being on or off. But I don't understand how those components being on or off convey anything to a physical component. Even if the component, let's say a micro controller, has been programmed. I don't understand how the micro controller receives the on and off information and then how it relates this information to stored information which tells it I do something. And finally, how it would take that command an physically initiate it.

Wires.

Cute. But if you want to answer the question seriously I don't need to know how electricity is carried to a component. I would like to know how electricity manipulates the component.

Got a few years? Sheesh, what you're asking is a large subject (or there's a smaller question in there, somewhere that you want to ask but don't know how ;)

In my defense, it's true, the binary state of a "set of physical components" _is_ conveyed to other sets of physical components via wires (or conductive paths).

If you want to know how those binary states (i.e. 'on' or 'off') are stored/manipulated, then you need to understand _flip-flops_. And, to understand flip-flops you need to understand Transistors (at least transistors in their non-active states. Most microcontrollers (as per your example) use MOS transistors, so you might start with those.

If what you're asking is how information is transported and interpreted and made to do cool and interesting things (as well as dull and boring things -- depends on the application), then you need to understand binary encoding and protocols. Another fairly large subject. You might also need to know a bit about logic, multiplexing, and perhaps even binary arithmetic.

If you are asking about machine code (i.e. how a program manipulates the "silicon" within a microcontroller (,etc)), then that yet another large subject.

BTW, there's also a third state (besides 'on' and 'off') called the _float_ or _high-impedance_ state (though that is more a Von Neumann architecture thing). But, that propels you into the realm of open drain transistors and pull-ups.

So, rather than one of us trying to give you a 10-unit crash course in computer electronics, I suggest you take a night class or get a book and then hit us with specific questions as they arise.

Ok, thank you for the more detailed response. I think I'm asking how information is transported and interpreted. If binary encoding and protocols are what I need to learn about, do you have any suggestions on some good books on the topic?

Don't know -- it's been decades since I cracked a book on any of these subjects. When I want a refresher, I usually just Google it.

You might try: http://www.safaribooksonline.com
Or go to a library and dust off some of the computer books.
Or try some Google searches -- like "How does a computer work" or "Computer protocols" or "computer binary"

Here's a nice article on binary encoding: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bytes.htm

It's really difficult to say, 'cuz I still don't have a clear picture of what you want. Perhaps if you told us more about why you want to know this. What has led you to ask this question?