Computer organization

Computer Organization

How does a computer actually work? How do they transform what you type into a program that shows cute cat pictures?

Big ideas in computer organization

Information layer

• Binary
• ASCII
• Data representation

Hardware layer

• Logic gates and circuits
• Computing components

Computer architecture

• Architecture of the central processing unit (CPU)
• Functions of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
• Control unit (CU)
• Registers within the CPU
• Primary memory
• Cache memory
• The machine instruction cycle

Secondary memory

• Persistent storage

Operating systems and application systems

• Operating system
• Application software
• Common features of applications

Binary representation

• Bits, bytes, binary, denary/decimal, hexadecimal
• How is data is represented in the computer?

Simple logic gates

• Gates and Circuits
• Boolean operators
• Truth tables
• Logic diagram

What do you absolutely need to know about this?

• 2.1.1 Outline the architecture of the central processing unit (CPU) and the functions of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and the control unit (CU) and the registers within the CPU. Level: 2
• 2.1.2 Describe primary memory . Level: 2
• 2.1.3 Explain the use of cache memory. Level: 3
• 2.1.4 Explain the machine instruction cycle. Level: 3
• 2.1.5 Identify the need for persistent storage. Level: 2
• 2.1.6 Describe the main functions of an operating system. Level: 2
• 2.1.7 Outline the use of a range of application software. Level: 2
• 2.1.8 Identify common features of applications. Level: 2
• 2.1.9 Define the terms: bit, byte, binary, denary/decimal, hexadecimal. Level: 1
• 2.1.10 Outline the way in which data is represented in the computer. Level: 2
• 2.1.11 Define the Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR. Level: 1
• 2.1.12 Construct truth tables using the above operators. Level: 3
• 2.1.13 Construct a logic diagram using AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR gates. Level: 3