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Computer Architecture & Organization | Complete Reference

Computer Architecture & Organization | Complete Reference










Complete Reference Guide

Computer Architecture & Organization

From high-level programs to hardware execution — everything you need to understand how computers actually work.






01Program Execution

02Performance

03Data Representation

04Assembly Language

05Hardware Techniques

06Datapath Design

07Memory Hierarchy

08Multiprocessors








01
How Programs Are Executed by a Computer System




Basic Components of a CPU Design


The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer. It consists of several fundamental components that work together to execute instructions:




Control Unit (CU)

The "manager" of the CPU. It fetches instructions from memory, decodes them to understand what operation to perform, and coordinates all other components to execute the instruction. Think of it as the conductor of an orchestra.




Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The "calculator" of the CPU. Performs all arithmetic operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide) and logical operations (AND, OR, NOT, XOR, comparisons). Every computation flows through here.




Registers

Ultra-fast, small storage locations inside the CPU. Used to hold data currently being processed, addresses, and status information. Much faster than RAM because they're on the CPU chip itself.




Program Counter (PC)

A special register that holds the memory address of the next instruction to execute. After each instruction fetch, it typically increments to point to the next sequential instruction (unless a jump/branch occurs).







Simplified CPU Architecture


┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CPU │
│ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Control Unit │ │
│ │ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ │ │
│ │ │ PC │ │ Instruction │ │ Control │ │ │
│ │ │ Counter │──│ Register │──│ Signals │────┼───┼──▶
│ │ └─────────┘ └─────────────┘ └──────────────┘ │ │
│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ┌─────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Register File │ │ │
│ │ ┌────┐ ┌────┐ ┌────┐ │ ┌────┐ ┌────┐ ┌────┐ │ │
│ │ │ R0 │ │ R1 │ │ R2 │ │ │ R3 │ │...…