Computer organization
![](/images/f/f2/Cpu.png)
Computer Organization[1]
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[2]
Hardware layer[3]
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
Operating systems and application systems
Binary representation
Simple logic gates
Textbook pages
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