Chapter 1b Introduction

Objectives

By the end of this lecture, the student should be able to:

Differentiate between computer architecture and computer organisation Differentiate the structure and function of the computer Give a brief description of the main functions of the computer Describe the computer as an hierarchical system Give a brief description of the function of the main components of the computer Have an understanding the reasons for the course

Questions

What is a computer? In day-to-day life, what are some of the uses of computers? Name three main components of a computer What would you consider to be the most important component of the computer? What is the difference between a degree in Information Technology (IT) and one in Computer Science?

Architecture & Organization 1

Architecture is those attributes visible to the programmer; those that have a direct impact on the logical execution of a program

Instruction set, number of bits used for data representation, I/O mechanisms, memory addressing techniques. e.g. Is there a multiply instruction?

Organization is how features are implemented; the operation units and their interconnections that realize the architectural specifications

Control signals, interfaces, memory technology. e.g. Is there a hardware multiply unit or is it done by repeated addition?

Architecture & Organization 2

It is important for computer scientists to know the difference between computer architecture and computer organisation . Most computer manufacturers offer a family of computer models, all with the same architecture but different organisation; this brings the differences in pricing. Organisation or Architecture; which one do we study?

A computer organisation must be designed to implement a particular architecture; studying organisation implies studying architecture as well

Architecture & Organization 3

All Intel x86 family share the same basic architecture The IBM System/370 family share the same basic architecture This gives code compatibility

At least backwards

Organisation differs between different versions

Structure & Function

A computer is complex system that is made up of sub-systems which are organised in an hierarchical manner Structure is the way in which components relate to each other Function is the operation of individual components as part of the structure The hierarchy of a system can either be done top-down or bottom-up. Top-down is clearer and most effective.

Functions of the Computer

All computer functions are:

Data processing Data storage both short-term and long term Data movement between itself and the outside world. This is done via peripheral devices (directly connected to the computer) or remote devices (data communication) Control

Functional view

Functional view of a computer

Data Storage Facility Data Movement Apparatus

Control Mechanism

Data Processing Facility

Operations (1)

Data movement

e.g. keyboard to screen

Data Storage Facility Data Movement Apparatus

Control Mechanism

Data Processing Facility

Operations (2)

Storage

e.g. Internet download to disk

Data Storage Facility Data Movement Apparatus

Control Mechanism

Data Processing Facility

Operation (3)

Processing from/to storage

e.g. updating bank statement

Data Storage Facility Data Movement Apparatus

Control Mechanism

Data Processing Facility

Operation (4)

Processing from storage to I/O

e.g. printing a bank statement

Data Storage Facility Data Movement Apparatus

Control Mechanism

Data Processing Facility

Structure - Top Level

There may be one or more of each of the components Computer
Central Processing Unit Computer Main Memory

Systems Interconnection

Input Output

Communication lines

Structure - The CPU

CPU
Computer
I/O System Bus Memory CPU

Registers

Arithmetic and Login Unit

Internal CPU Interconnection

Control Unit

ALU Function
The arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) performs arithmetic and logical operations on data as directed by the control unit. Data to be executed by the ALU is temporarily held in special purpose memories located inside the processor called registers.

Structure - The Control Unit

Control Unit
CPU
ALU Internal Bus Registers Control Unit

Sequencing Login Control Unit Registers and Decoders

Control Memory

CU Function
The control unit is responsible for controlling all the activities of the computer. It controls communication between the processor, main memory and input/output devices via special pathways known as system buses

Main Memory
The main memory or primary storage store data and instructions that are directly accessible to the processor. The two main types of primary storage are Random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).

RAM RAM mostly referred to as working storage is a volatile, temporary storage that holds input entered into the computer for processing and output after processing ROM ROM contains nonvolatile, relatively permanent data and instructions that cannot be easily changed.

Why this course?

To not only understand how computers work but also why they work the way they do; not to regard a computer as a black box

To acquire some understanding and appreciation of computer components characteristics, performance and interactions To be able to structure programs that run on the computers To be able to make correct choices of computers for various tasks