Scribd
Upload
24 views

CSC 322 Computer Architecture 2

Computer architecture refers to attributes visible to programmers that impact program execution, like instruction sets and data types. Computer organization refers to operational units and interconnections that implement the architectural specifications, like control signals and memory technology. Historically, manufacturers offered computer families with the same architecture but different organizations for varied price and performance. For example, IBM's System/370 architecture launched in 1970 and spanned many computer models each with organizational changes for new technologies, allowing software compatibility. In microcomputers, the relationship between architecture and organization is close, with technological changes influencing both.

Uploaded by

Class wrapper
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
24 views

CSC 322 Computer Architecture 2

Computer architecture refers to attributes visible to programmers that impact program execution, like instruction sets and data types. Computer organization refers to operational units and interconnections that implement the architectural specifications, like control signals and memory technology. Historically, manufacturers offered computer families with the same architecture but different organizations for varied price and performance. For example, IBM's System/370 architecture launched in 1970 and spanned many computer models each with organizational changes for new technologies, allowing software compatibility. In microcomputers, the relationship between architecture and organization is close, with technological changes influencing both.

Uploaded by

Class wrapper
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Mr Ofemb

Course Outline
Speed
Miniaturization

Organization and architecture


In describing computers a distinction is often made between computer architecture and
organization.

Although it is difficult to give precise definitions for this terms, a concensus exist about the
general areas covered by each.

Computer Architecture refers to those attributes of a system visible to a programmer or those


attributes that haver a direct impact on the logical execution of a program

On the other hand computer organization, refers to the operational units and their
interconnections that realise their architectural specifications

Egs of architectural attributes includes:


1. The instruction set
2. The number of bits used to represent various data types ( eg integers, characters)
3. I/O mechanisms
4. techniques for addressing memeory

Organizational attributes include those hardware details transparent to the programmer, such as
control signals, interfaces between the computer and the peripherals and the memory technology
used (eg device drivers)

Eg it is an architectural design issue whether a computer will have a multiply instruction.

It is an organizational issue whether the multiply instruction will be implemented by a special


multiply unit or a mechanism that makes repeated use of the addd unit of the system.

The organizational decision may be based on the anticipated frequency of use of the multiply
instruction, the relative speed of the two approaches, and the cost and physical size of a special
multiply unit.

Historically the distinction between architecture and organization has been an important one
Many computer manufacturers offer a family of computer models all with the same architecture
but with differences in organizations.

Consequently the different models in the family have different price and performance
characteristics ,
Furthermore, a particular architecture may span — and encompass a number of different
computer models, each organization changing with changing technology.

A prominent eg of both of this phinomena is the IBM/


This architecutre was first introduced in 1970
The cutomer with cheaper requirements will get a cheaper model, slower model, and if demand
increases later upgrade to a faster and expensive model, without having ti abandon software that
has already been developed

Over the years, IBM has introduced many new models with improved technologies to replace
older models offering the customer many new models with improved speed, lower costs or both.

This newer models retain the same architecture so that the customer software requirement is
protected.
Remarkably the systems/370 architecture with a few enhancements has surviced to this day as
the architecture of todays IBM product line.

In a class of computers called micro computers, the relationship between architecture and
organization is very close.

Changes in tech not only influence organization but also result in the introduction of more
powerful and complex architectures.

Generally , there is less of a requirement for generation to generation compatibility for this
smaller machines
Thus: there is more interplay between organizational and architectural design decisions
An interesting exampls of this is the reduced instruction set computer ( RISC )

However emphasis is perhaps is more on the side of organization.


Since a computer organization must be designed to implement a particular architectural
specifications,
A thourough treatement of organization requires a detailed examination of architecture as well.

You might also like