computer architecture :: essays papers

computer architectureComputer architecture covers the formula of strategy software system,such as the operating system (the program that witnesss the computer), aswell as referring to the combination of computer hardware and basic software that colligate the machines on a computer network. Computer architecture refers toan entire organise and to the detail needed to make it functional. Thus,computer architecture covers computer systems, microprocessors, circuits,and system programs. Typically the term does not refer to applicationprograms, such as spreadsheets or word processing, which are required toperform a job but not to make the system run.In designing a computer system, architects consider five majorelements that make up the systems hardware the arithmetic/ logic building block,control unit, retrospect, input, and output. The arithmetic/logic unit performsarithmetic and compares numerical values. The control unit directs theoperation of the computer by fetching the u ser counsellings and transformingthem into electrical signals that the computers circuitry can understand.The combination of the arithmetic/logic unit and the control unit is calledthe central processing unit (CPU). The memory stores instruction manual anddata. The input and output sections allow the computer to receive and carry data, respectively.Different hardware architectures are required because of thespecialized needs of systems and users. iodin(a) user may need a system todisplay art extremely fast, while another system may have to beoptimized for searching a database or conserving battery power in a laptopcomputer.In addition to the hardware design, the architects must considerwhat software programs will operate the system. Software, such asprogramming linguistic communications and operating systems, makes the details of thehardware architecture invisible to the user. For example, computers that usethe C programming language or a UNIX operating system may appear the a like from the users viewpoint, although they use different hardwarearchitectures.When a computer carries out an instruction, it harvest-festivalthrough five steps. First, the control unit reckons the instruction frommemoryfor example, an instruction to add two numbers. Second, thecontrol unit decodes the instructions into electronic signals that control thecomputer. Third, the control unit fetches the data (the two numbers).Fourth, the arithmetic/logic unit performs the specific operation (theaddition of the two numbers). Fifth, the control unit saves the leave (thesum of the two numbers).Early computers used only simple instructions because the live of electronics capable of carrying out complex instructions was high.As this cost decreased in the 1960s, more complicated instructionsbecame possible. Complex instructions can save time because they makeit unnecessary for the computer to retrieve additional instructions. Forexample, if seven operations are combined in one instructi on, then six of