Module: Computer Architecture

A little history, the Von Neumann architecture, the fetch-execute cycle.

Learning Outcomes

Develop a sense of the historical developments that have led to the computers we have today
Understand the principle of the Von Neuman architecture
Understand the concept of an Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)

A brief history of computer architecture, from Babbage to quantum computing

Lecture notes

Von Neumann architecture (PCASM, Sections 1.2.1, 1.2.2)

Lecture notes Textbook reading

Use the fetch-execute cycle to show memory state after instruction execution

Sample Problems