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QUESTION : State three categories of computer architecture and their roles. Indicate
how they link

DUE DATE : 29 MARCH 2024

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State three categories of computer architecture and their roles. indicate how they link

In the world of computer science, computer architecture refers to the organization and design of
a computer system. This includes the structure and behaviour of the various components of a
computer system, such as the processor, memory, input/output devices, and communication
channels. Computer architecture plays a crucial role in determining the performance,
efficiency, and capabilities of a computer system.

There are three main categories of computer architecture, each serving a unique purpose in the
design and function of a computer system. These categories are known as Von Neumann
architecture, Harvard architecture, and CISC/RISC architecture. Each of these architectures has
distinct characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, and understanding their roles is
essential for computer scientists and engineers.

The first category of computer architecture is Von Neumann architecture (VNA), named after
the renowned mathematician and computer scientist John von Neumann. It is also known as the
Instruction Set Architecture (ISA). This architecture is characterized by a single data bus that is
used to transfer both instructions and data between the processor and memory. Instruction set
architecture (ISA) is the interface between the software and hardware of a computer system. It
defines the set of instructions that a computer can execute, as well as the format in which these
instructions are encoded. ISA serves as a bridge between the high-level programming
languages used by software developers and the low-level operations performed by the
hardware. It provides a standardized way for software programs to communicate with the
hardware, ensuring compatibility and interoperability across different computer systems.

The Von Neuman Architecture is essential for running office applications such as word
processors (MS Word), spreadsheets (Excel) and presentations (PowerPoint) software. Office
applications heavily rely on the CPU for processing instructions and manipulating data stored
in memory. The input and output devices enable users to interact with the applications,
providing input i.e typing on a keyboard and displaying out i.e displaying text on a monitor.
The Von architecture ensures the seamless execution of these tasks in office application.

In VNA / ISA, instructions are fetched from memory one at a time and then executed by the
processor. This sequential processing of instructions is known as the fetch-execute cycle. The
advantage of VNA/ISA is its simplicity and ease of implementation, making it suitable for
general-purpose computing tasks.
Harvard architecture or the Microarchitecture, on the other hand, is a type of computer
architecture that separates the instruction memory and data memory into distinct modules. This
allows the processor to fetch instructions and data simultaneously, making Harvard architecture
faster and more efficient than Von Neumann architecture. Microarchitecture, also known as
computer organization, refers to the internal design and implementation of a computer system.
It includes the organization of the various components of a computer, such as the central
processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output devices, and interconnects. Microarchitecture
focuses on optimizing the performance and efficiency of a computer system by designing the
hardware components to execute instructions quickly and accurately. It involves decisions
regarding the size and structure of the CPU cache, the pipeline depth, the instruction set
extensions, and other architectural features that impact the overall performance of the system.

In Harvard architecture, instructions are fetched from the instruction memory and data is
fetched from the data memory at the same time. This parallel processing of instructions and
data improves the overall performance of the system. However, Harvard architecture can be
more complex to implement and may require more complex hardware.

The third category of computer architecture is CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) and
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture. These two architectures differ in the
way they handle instructions and data processing. System architecture, also known as system
design, encompasses the overall structure and organization of a computer system. It includes
the arrangement of hardware components, software systems, and communication protocols that
enable the system to function as a cohesive unit. System architecture defines the relationships
between the various components of a computer system, as well as the interfaces through which
they interact. It also includes decisions regarding the allocation of resources, the distribution of
processing tasks, and the management of system resources such as memory, storage, and
network bandwidth.

CISC architecture is characterized by a large and complex instruction set, which allows for a
wide variety of instructions to be executed by the processor. CISC processors typically have
instructions that can perform multiple operations in a single cycle, making them suitable for
tasks that require complex operations.

RISC architecture, on the other hand, is known for its simplicity and efficiency. RISC
processors have a reduced instruction set that focuses on basic operations, which are executed
in a single cycle. This results in faster and more efficient processing of instructions, making
RISC architecture ideal for tasks that require high performance and speed. RISC architecture is
commonly used in high performance computing systems, such as servers and workstations
which are utilised in office environment for tasks like data processing, database management
and server based office applications.

These three categories of computer architecture play a crucial role in determining the design
and performance of a computer system. Each architecture has its own advantages and
disadvantages, and understanding their roles is essential for designing and implementing
efficient computer systems. ISA provides the foundation for software development by defining
the instructions that can be executed by the hardware. Microarchitecture implements these
instructions by designing the internal structure of the hardware components to execute them
efficiently. System architecture then organizes these components into a coherent system that
can perform complex tasks and communicate with other systems.

In conclusion, computer architecture is a fundamental aspect of computer science that

influences the performance and capabilities of a computer system. Von Neumann architecture,
Harvard architecture, and CISC/RISC architecture are three main categories of computer
architecture, each serving a unique purpose in the design and function of a computer system.
By understanding the roles of these architectures, computer scientists and engineers can design
and implement efficient and high-performance computer systems.
References

Hennessey, J. L., & Patterson, D. A. (2017). Computer architecture: a quantitative approach.

Elsevier.

Tanenbaum, A. S., & Austin, T. M. (2019). Structured computer organization. Pearson.

Stallings, W. (2017). Computer organization and architecture: designing for performance.

Pearson