What is Computer Organization and
Architecture?
Introduction
February 11, 2014
What is Computer Organization and
Architecture? (cont.)
• Computer architecture refers to those attributes of a
system visible to a programmer or, put another way, those
attributes that have a direct impact on the logical execution
of a program.
– Examples of architectural attributes include the instruction set,
the number of bits used to represent various data types (e.g.,
numbers, characters), I/O mechanisms, and techniques for
addressing memory.
• Computer organization refers to the operational units and
their interconnections that realize the architectural
specifications.
– Examples of organizational attributes include those hardware
details transparent to the programmer, such as control signals;
interfaces between the computer and peripherals; and the
memory technology used.
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• Computer architecture is like a blue print
– it will have all the components mentioned and
also how they are connected
• Computer organization is an implementation
of that blue print.
• Each vendor will have their own version of the
organization, their own way of implementing
the blue print.
What is Computer Organization and
Architecture? (cont.)
• Computer organization is how operational attributes are
linked together and contribute to realize the architectural
specifications.
• Computer architecture is the architectural attributes like
physical address memory, CPU and how they should be
made and made to coordinate with each other keeping
the future demands and goals in mind.
• Computer architecture comes before computer
organization.
• It’s like building the design and architecture of
house takes maximum time and then organization is
building house by bricks or by latest technology keeping
the basic layout and architecture of house in mind.

Why Study Computer Organization and
Architecture?
You may ask
• Why a computer science student must learn about
computer hardware?
• Isn’t that for computer engineers?
• Why do I care what the inside of a computer looks
like?
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Why Study Computer Organization and
Architecture? (Cont..)
Study of computer organization – encompasses all physical
aspects of computer systems.
• Become familiar with how various circuits and components
fit together to create working computer systems.
• Answer: How does a computer work?
Study of computer architecture-focuses on the structure and
behavior of the computer system and refers to the logical
aspects of system implementation as seen by the
programmer.
• Architecture of a system directly affects the logical
execution of programs.
• Answer: How do I design a computer?
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Why Study Computer Organization and
Architecture? (Cont..)
As computer users
• we can certainly write high-level language program without
understanding how these programs execute.
• We can use various application packages without
understanding how they really work.
But what happens
• When the program we have written needs to be faster and
more efficient
• Application we are using does not do precisely what we want
As computer scientists
• We need a basic understanding of the computer system itself
in order to rectify these problems
Further Reading: Chapter 0, Stallings
Structure & Function of Computer
• Structure is the way in which components relate to
each other
• Function is the operation of individual components
as part of the structure
• The computer system will be described from the top
down.
– Begin with the major components of a computer,
describing their structure and function, and proceed to
successively lower layers of the hierarchy.
 Function
• All computer functions are:
– Data processing
– Data storage
• Even if the computer is processing data on the fly (i.e., data come in and get • Control
processed, and the results go out immediately), the computer must • Control the
temporarily store at least those pieces of data that are being worked on at
any given moment. operation of
• Thus, there is at least a short-term data storage function. the above
• The computer also performs a long-term data storage function.
three
• Files of data are stored on the computer for subsequent retrieval and
update. functions.
– Data movement
• able to move data between the computer and the outside world.
• The computer’s operating environment consists of devices that serve as either
sources or destinations of data.
• When data are received from or delivered to a device that is directly connected to
the computer, the process is known as input–output (I/O), and the device is referred
to as a peripheral.
• When data are moved over longer distances, to or from a remote device, the process
is known as data communications.

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Operations (a) Data movement Operations (b) Storage

• It can also function as a

• The computer can function
data storage device with
as a data movement device
data transferred from the
by simply transferring data
external environment to
from one peripheral or
computer storage (read)
communications line to
and vice versa (write).
another.

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 Operation (c) Processing from/to storage Operation (d)
Processing from storage to I/O

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Structure Structure - Top Level

• The computer interacts with its external environment.
• In general, all of its linkages to the external environment can
be classified as peripheral devices or communication lines.

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 Four main structural components: Structure - The CPU
• Central processing unit (CPU): Controls the operation of
the computer and performs its data processing functions;
often simply referred to as processor.
• Main memory: Stores data.
• I/O: Moves data between the computer and its external
environment.
• System interconnection: Some mechanism that provides
for communication among CPU, main memory, and I/O.
– A common example of system interconnection is by means
of a system bus, consisting of a number of conducting
wires to which all the other components attach.

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CPU: major structural components Structure - The Control Unit

• Control unit: Controls the operation of the CPU and
hence the computer
• Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU): Performs the computer’s
data processing functions
• Registers: Provides storage internal to the CPU
• CPU interconnection: Some mechanism that provides for
communication among the control unit, ALU, and registers

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 Difference between Computer
Architecture and Organization
Computer Architecture Computer Organization
• It includes emphasis on the system
• It includes emphasis on components, circuit design, logical design,
logical design and the structure of instructions, computer
system design.
It is concerned with the
arithmetic, processor control, assembly End of Chapter
• language programming and methods of
structure and behavior of performance enhancement.
computer as seen by the • It is concerned with the way hardware
user. components operate and the way they
• Computer architecture is are connected together to form the
the abstract model. computer system.
• Architecture describes • Computer organization expresses the
what the computer does. realization of the architecture.
• organization describes how it does it.
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