Elements of Computer Architecture - INFS 1101

Created by: Robin Kurt Cabildo Aquino

Hardware

is comprised of physical, tangible parts

Software

is comprised of programs and operating systems

Programs

composed of collections of instructions and procedures that perform specific tasks on a computer

Computers

follow instructions

algorithm

A list of steps to solve a problem or perform a computation

software program

An algorithm written in a language that the computer understands

Windows Command line also known as cmd.exe or CMD,

is the command-line interpreter for the Windows operating system. It is a text-based interface that allows users to interact with the computer by typing text-based commands

WMIC which stands for Windows Management Instrumentation

is a terminal utility on Microsoft Windows operating systems that allows users to access system resources and settings. You can use it to query system settings, set system properties, and perform system actions via the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) framework

Binary

Computer use a _________ system

Passing current or no current (5V or 0V)

For Binary

Binary

1 or 0

1 or 0

Called a Bit

states

By combining bits, we can form ________

2² States

2 bits can have

2³ States

3 bits

2^4 States

4 Bits

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Program stored is in ____________

Memory Cells (for RAM)

are identified by an address, which is a binary number

RAM (Random Access Memory)

It occupies a list of memory cells

CPU

orchestrates program execution

CPU

Performs fetch-decode-execute cycles

Von Neumann Architecture

Harvard Architecture

Von Neumann

One shared memory unit for program instructions and data, and one bus for memory access.

Von Neumann

One arithmetic unit and one program control unit.

Von Neumann

Instruction is fetched from memory and decoded, then relevant data is fetched, then instruction is executed

Von Neumann

Requires at least two clock cycles to execute an instruction

Von Neumann

Most commonly used in PCs.

Von Neumann

Due to single memory unit and single bus, limited bandwidth causes a bottleneck situation.

Harvard

Two separate memory units: one for program instructions and one for data.

Harvard

A set of address and data buses to read and write data to memory, and another set of address and data buses to fetch instructions

Harvard

Can fetch instruction and data simultaneously

Harvard

Can execute an instruction in only one clock cycle

Harvard

Faster and no bottleneck issues

Harvard

Requires more memory and hardware.

Harvard

Most commonly used in embedded devices and signal processing.

Harvard

More and more modern computers are using Harvard architecture

Fetch Decode Execute

Algorithm

“a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer”

Plain English

Pseudo-code

Flowchart

The algorithm can be described in a variety of ways

Pseudocode

an artificial and informal language that helps programmers develop algorithms.

Pseudocode

is a "text-based" detail (algorithmic) design tool.

A flowchart

a picture of the separate steps of a process in sequential order.

Pseudocode

These include while, do, for, if, switch

Pseudocode

The rules of _________ are reasonably straightforward.

Pseudocode

All statements showing "dependency" are to be indented.

A flowchart

It is a generic tool that can be adapted for a wide variety of purposes,

A flowchart

can be used to describe various processes, such as a manufacturing process, an administrative or service process, or a project plan

Flowchart

Pseudocode

Program code

Implementation of an algorithm in a programming language

programming language

is a formal language comprising a set of strings that produce various kinds of machine code output

High level languages

C & Python

Binary

Add two numbers (0010)

Machine code

Native language of the processor

Machine code

Operations and operands all in binary (or hex

Machine code

Operations and operands all in binary (or hex) Not human readable

Low-level languages

Machine code & Assembly

Assembly

Each line can be associated to as single instruction

Assembly

Human readable (but tedious and long)

An assembler

An ___________ converts assembly code to machine code

Machine Code and Assembly

Both are CPU-specific (non portable)

High Level Languages

Human readable (English keywords)

High Level Languages

Portable: same code can be used on different computers

High Level Languages

Differ in the level of control / automation they provide

High Level Languages

C, C++, Java, Rust, Go, Python, Javascript, PHP, Ruby

Compiled

converts the whole program to executable (machine code) before running.

Compiled

Runs faster and compiler not required to run the executable, but is more complex to develop.

Compiled

Allows the developer to have more control over hardware specs, i.e., memory management, CPU usage.

Interpreted:

converts the program to machine code instruction by instruction

Interpreted

Easy to debug but a little slower - always requires interpreter to run

Interpreted

More flexible, offer dynamic typing and smaller program size

Interpreted

Examples: Python, Javascript, PHP, Ruby

Hybrid

Java

Strongly typed

A language that requires variable and object data types to be specified (integer, string, float). Allows for more structure, but less flexible.

Loosely typed

A language that does not require variable and object data types to be specified. More flexible and faster, but errors are more likely to occur.

Loosely typed

Examples: JavaScript, Perl, Python, Ruby

Strongly typed

Examples: C++, Java, C#.