Computer architecture is a field that deals with the hardware components of a computer and how these components communicate with each other. Hardware components include the processor, memory, input/output units, and data pathways.
Computer architecture directly influences a computer’s performance, functionality, and cost. Architectures can vary depending on the type of computer, such as general-purpose computers, servers, mobile devices, and embedded systems.
The fundamental concepts of computer architecture are as follows:
- Processor: Also known as the computer’s brain, the processor executes instructions and performs calculations.
- Memory: It is the place where the processor can access and store data.
- Input/Output (I/O) Units: Used to communicate with external devices such as keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, and network cards.
- Data Pathways: These are the paths through which data is transferred between the processor, memory, and I/O units.
- Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): It is the set of instructions that the processor can understand and execute.
- Performance: Measures a computer’s speed and processing capacity.
- Functionality: Refers to the scope of what a computer can do.
- Cost: Represents the production cost and purchase price of a computer.
Computer architecture is a fundamental branch of computer engineering. Computer engineers work on designing new computer architectures and improving existing ones.