Notes on Computer Organization and Architecture (COA) Study Guide
Key Concepts
- Computer Organization: Refers to the operational units and their interconnections that realize the architectural specifications.
- Computer Architecture: Involves the instruction set and the technologies used for the CPU's design.
- Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): A critical interface between hardware and software, defining the instructions that the computer can execute.
Memory Organization
- Types of Memory: Primary (RAM, cache), Secondary (Hard drives, SSDs).
- Memory Hierarchy: Fastest to slowest (Registers, Cache, RAM, SSD/HDD).
Data Representation
- Binary Numbers: Base-2 numeral system used by computers.
- Data Types: Integer, Floating-point, Character, Boolean.
CPU Design
- Control Unit: Directs the operation of the processor.
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic and logical operations.
Performance Enhancements
- Pipelining: Technique where multiple instruction phases are overlapped.
- Cache Memory: Small, fast memory located inside or near the CPU.
Input/Output Systems
- I/O Interface: Manages data transfers between the CPU and peripheral devices.
- Interrupts: Signals that alter the sequence of instructions executed by a processor.
Common Architectures
- Von Neumann Architecture: Describes a system where the CPU runs sequentially fetching instructions.
- Harvard Architecture: Has separate storage and signal pathways for instructions and data.
Additional Topics
- Parallel Processing: Using multiple processors to perform tasks simultaneously.
- Multiprocessing and Multithreading: Techniques to increase CPU utilization.
Study Tips
- Focus on understanding the differences between architecture and organization.
- Practice drawing diagrams of CPU components and memory hierarchies.
- Familiarize with basic binary arithmetic and data representation methods.
These notes cover the fundamental aspects of computer organization and architecture. It is recommended to delve deeper into each section for comprehensive understanding.