hardware = cpu

the cpu processes data and instructions through the fetch, decode and execute cycle.

4 key components:

  • control unit

manages data flow

  • ALU (arithmetic and logic unit )

handles calculations

  • registers

store temporary data

  • cache memory

speeds up access to frequently used data

2 types of common computer architecture:

  • von neumann - which stores data in memory and enables multitasking

  • harvard - has seperate storage for instructions and data