Computer Organization and Design Quiz

Course Information

• Course Title: Computer Organization and Design
• Edition: Fifth
• Textbook: Structured Computer Organization by Andrew S. Tanenbaum
• Instructor: Eng. Basim Al-shar
• Semester: Spring 2024/2025

Course Objectives

• Understand computer organization and why it's structured that way
• Understand hardware and software layouts from a system-level perspective
• Introduce Digital Logic, Microarchitecture, Instruction Set Architecture, and Operating Systems levels
• Learn how components and devices are organized into an architectural configuration
• Understand modern computer architecture's rapid changes

Tentative Outline

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer Organization
• Chapter 2: Basic Computer System Organization Concepts
• Chapter 3: Digital Logic Level (Gates, circuits, Boolean algebra, buses)
• Chapter 4: Microarchitecture Level (Implementation of the ISA)
• Chapter 5: Instruction Set Architecture Level
• Chapter 6: Operating System Level
• Chapter 8: Parallel Computer Architecture

What are Computer, Program, and Machine Language?

• Computer: A machine solving problems by carrying out instructions
  • General Purpose: PCs, workstations, mainframes
  • Special Purpose: Car computers, appliances, etc.
• Program: A sequence of instructions for a particular task
• Machine Language: Instructions executed by the computer hardware
  • Examples: Add two numbers, check if a number is zero, copy data

How can we manage the complexity of computer systems?

• A computer is a hierarchy of levels
• Each level performs a well-defined function
• Each level is implemented on top of the lower level (hardware at the lowest)
• Each level is a layer of abstraction, hiding details from higher levels
• Understanding a computer involves looking at these different layers

Programming Languages

• High-Level Languages: Easier for humans (Control flow, functions, compile-time error checking, portability between processors)
• Low-Level Languages: Closer to the CPU (Each CPU has its own instruction set or assembly language, Limited control flow, limited functions/procedures, low portability between CPUs)

Programs Executing

• Every machine has its own machine language
• Programs are translated to machine language for execution
  • Translation: Replace instructions in one language with equivalent instructions in another
  • Interpretation: Executes a program that takes instructions as input and executes them

Translation and Interpretation

• Language translator is also called a compiler
  • Compiler translates a program from source language to target language
  • Interpreter executes instructions from the source code without prior translation

Virtual Machine

• A hypothetical computer (M1) with a machine language (L1)
• Programs for M1 can be translated to the machine language of another computer (LO) or executed by an interpreter
• Enables users to program a virtual computer that doesn't directly need to exist in physical hardware, potentially simplifying programming

Levels, Virtual Machines, and Languages

• Computers with multiple levels, like n, can be viewed as virtual machines.
• Each level has its own language

Contemporary Multilevel Machines

• Various levels of programming language, assembly, operating system, ISA, microarchitecture, and digital logic, organized in a hierarchy

Level 0 – Digital Logic Level

• This level is the true computer hardware that directly executes the machine language program
• Basic building blocks are logic gates and transistors
• Operates on digital inputs, representing 0 or 1.
• Computes simple functions from inputs
• Groups of 1-bit memory, e.g., 16, 32, or 64 bits

Level 1 – Microarchitecture or Microprogramming Level

• This level uses registers, Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and Control Unit (CU)
• Registers are connected to the ALU for data flow
• ALU operates on the values in registers
• Control Unit manages data path for movement of data within the system
• Microprogram acts as an interpreter for Level 2 instructions
• No two computers have identical microprograms

Level 2 – Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) Level or Conventional Level

• Defines the instruction set of the computer
• In some cases, the ISA instructions are directly executed by the lower hardware-level without a microprogram(e.g., simpler machines)
• Published by the manufacturer in reference manuals

Level 3 – Operating System Machine Level

• Operating systems (OS) manage the interaction between users, application programs, and the hardware.
• OS functions: Sharing of resources, controlling hardware access, executing programs, and management other applications.

Level 4 – Assembly Language Level

• Textual language using words, abbreviations, and symbols instead of numerical codes.
• Translated to higher-level languages (Level 1, 2, or 3) and then interpreted by the machine

Level 5 – Problem Oriented Language Level

• High-level languages (e.g., C++, Visual Basic, Pascal) used by application programmers
• Translated into lower-level languages for execution by the computer (compilers)

Break between Level 3 and 4

• Levels 0-3 are used by system programmers
• Levels 4 and higher are used by application programmers
• Levels 3 and 2 are interpreted, whereas levels 4 and 5 are typically translated

Programmers

• System programmers: Deal with operating systems and low-level software
• Application programmers: Develop high-level programs

Hardware and Software

• Hardware: Tangible components (e.g., circuits, boards, cables)
• Software: Algorithms, instructions, programs stored physically (e.g., hard disk)
• Distinctions are becoming less clear as functionality can be implemented in both hardware and software

Evolution of Multilevel Machines

• Early computers had two levels (ISA and digital logic)
• Microprogramming (level between ISA and logic level) was added in the 1950s for more complex systems.
• Each new generation of computer design saw improvement from transistors, integrated circuits, to very large-scale integration (VLSI).

Milestones in Computer Architecture

• Different generations of computers are defined by fundamental changes in underlying technology

Generation 0: Mechanical Computers

• Early mechanical calculation devices (e.g., Pascal's calculator, Babbage's difference engine)

Generation 1: Vacuum Tubes

• Early electronic computers (e.g., ENIAC); Large, power-hungry, and problematic machines

Generation 2: Transistors

• Invention of transistors led to smaller, faster, lower power, and cheaper computers

Generation 3: Integrated Circuits

• Integrated circuits (ICs) allowed many transistors to be placed on a single chip, leading to even smaller, faster, and cheaper machines
• Defined the ability to create computer families/series

Generation 4: Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)

• Millions of transistors could be placed on a single chip
• Increased capabilities like improved performance and larger memory capacity

Generation 5: ? (Future Generations)

• Predicted possible trends (3D integration, optical computing, molecular computing, quantum computing)

Computer Zoo (Advances in Computer Industry)

• Computer industry is continually evolving.
• Moore's Law: The number of transistors on a chip doubles roughly every 18 months, leading to faster processors, larger memories, and more powerful computers.

Example: The Intel Processor Line

• Intel's processor development demonstrates Moore's Law in action

The Current Spectrum of Available Computers

• Provides a range of computers from disposable to mainframes, categorized by Type, Price (USD), and Example Application.

Disposable Computers/RFID

• Use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology

Microcontrollers

• Embedded computer systems; Used for managing appliances, communication devices, and more; Small, complete computers running in real time; Size, weight, and power constraints

Computer Games

• Special features include high-end graphics and sound (e.g., PS2)

Personal Computers (PCs)

• Common use cases like personal use and basic tasks (e.g., word processing)

Servers

• Used as network servers for LANs or Internet, high speed, space, and memory.

Collection of Workstations

• Groups of workstations connected to work on the same problem.

Mainframes and Supercomputers

• Very large computers with high processing speed, large storage, and network connectivity.

Test your knowledge on the principles of computer organization and design. This quiz covers various programming levels, hardware-software relationships, and digital logic concepts. Perfect for students in a computer organization course.