METROPOLITAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

COURSEWORK FOR

COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE

Year 2 sem 2

Qns.
1. Describe the evolution of the computer system.
2. Describe the basic components of a computer system.
3. Differentiate between computer organization and architecture.

NAME Reg No

KALIISA DANIEL 24/BWE/004/UMC

ANEMBABAZI DATIVA 24/BWE/004/UMC

MUSINGUZI JULIUS 24/BWE/004/UMC

Solutions for question 1

GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS

The history of computer development is clearly illustrated with reference to the different
generations of computing devices. In computer, the word generation is describes a stage of
technological development or innovation. A major technological development that
fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper,
and more powerful and more efficient and reliable devices, characterizes each generation of
computer. According to the technology used, there are five generations of computers, which are
discussed in the following sections.

1FIRST GENERATION (1940–56):

(VACUUM TUBES)

First generation computers relied on binary-coded language (language of 0s and 1s) to perform
operations and were able to solve only one problem at a time. Each machine was fed with
different binary codes and hence were difficult to program. This resulted in lack of versatility
and speed. In addition, to run on different types of computers, instructions must be rewritten or
recompiled.

Characteristics of First Generation Computers

• These computers were based on vacuum tube technology.

 • These were the fastest computing devices of their times (computation time was in
milliseconds).
• These computers were very large, and required a lot of space for installation.
• Since thousands of vacuum tubes were used, they generated a large amount of heat.
Therefore, air conditioning was essential.
• These were non-portable and very slow equipment.
• They lacked in versatility and speed.
• They were very expensive to operate and used a large amount of electricity.
• These machines were unreliable and prone to frequent hardware failures. Hence, constant
maintenance was required.
• Since machine language was used, these computers were difficult to program and use.
• Each individual component had to be assembled manually. Hence, commercial appeal of
these computers was poor.

SECOND GENERATION (1956–63):

(TRANSISTORS)

One of the major developments of this generation includes the progress from machine language
to assembly language.

Characteristics of Second-Generation Computers

• These machines were based on transistor technology.

• These were smaller as compared to the first-generation computers.
 • The computational time of these computers was reduced to microseconds from
milliseconds.
• These were more reliable and less prone to hardware failure. Hence, such computers
required less frequent maintenance.
• These were more portable and generated less amount of heat.
• Assembly language was used to program computers. Hence, programming became more
time-efficient and less cumbersome.
• Second generation computers still required air conditioning.
• Manual assembly of individual components into a functioning unit was still required.

1THIRD GENERATION (1964–EARLY 1970S): INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

Characteristics of Third Generation Computers

• These computers were based on integrated circuit (IC) technology.

• They were able to reduce computational time from microseconds to nanoseconds.
• They were easily portable and more reliable than the second generation.
• These devices consumed less power and generated less heat. In some cases, air
conditioning was still required.
• The size of these computers was smaller as compared to previous computers.
• Since hardware rarely failed, the maintenance cost was quite low.
• Extensive use of high-level languages became possible.
 • Manual assembling of individual components was not required, so it reduced the large
requirement of labour and cost. However, highly sophisticated technologies were required
for the manufacture of IC chips.
• Commercial production became easier and cheaper.

FOURTH GENERATION (EARLY 1970S–TILL DATE):

MICROPROCESSORS

The fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a
result, it gave rise to the personal computer (PC) revolution. This generation also saw the
development of the GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces), mouse, and handheld devices. Despite
many advantages, this generation required complex and sophisticated technology for the
manufacturing of CPU and other components.

Characteristics of Fourth Generation Computers

• Fourth generation computers are microprocessor-based systems.

• These computers are very small.
• Fourth generation computers are the cheapest among all the other generations.
• They are portable and quite reliable.
• These machines generate negligible amount of heat, hence they do not require air
conditioning.
• Hardware failure is negligible, so minimum maintenance is required.
• The production cost is very low.
• GUI and pointing devices enable users to learn to use the computer quickly.
• Interconnection of computers leads to better communication and resource sharing.
 FIFTH GENERATION (PRESENT AND BEYOND): ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE

The dream of creating a human-like computer that would be capable of reasoning and reaching a
decision through a series of “what-if-then” analyses has existed since the beginning of computer
technology. Such a computer would learn from its mistakes and possess the skill of experts.
These are the objectives for creating the fifth generation of computers. The starting point for the
fifth generation of computers has been set in the early 1990s. The process of developing fifth
generation of computers is still in the development stage. However, the expert system concept is
already in use. The expert system is defined as a computer information system that attempts to
mimic the thought process and reasoning of experts in specific areas. Three characteristics can
be identified with the fifth-generation computers, which are:

• Mega Chips: Fifth generation computers will use Super Large Scale Integrated (SLSI)
chips, which will result in the production of microprocessor having millions of electronic
components on a single chip. In order to store instructions and information, fifth
generation computers require a great amount of storage capacity. Mega chips may enable
the computer to approximate the memory capacity of the human mind.
• Parallel Processing: Most computers today access and execute only one instruction at a
time. This is called serial processing. However, a computer using parallel processing
accesses several instructions at once and works on them at the same time through the use
of multiple central processing units.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): It refers to a series of related technologies that tries to
simulate and reproduce human behavior, including thinking, speaking and reasoning. AI
comprises a group of related technologies: expert systems (ES), natural language
processing (NLP), speech recognition, vision recognition, and robotics.
 Components of a Computer System

A computer comprises of some basic elements. These include hardware, software, programmes,
data and connectivity. No computer can function in the absence of these elements. Apart from
these elements, a computer system comprises of three basic components. These components are
responsible for making computers actually function.

Question 2 solutions

Components of a Computer System:

Every computer system has the following three basic components:

1. Input unit
2. Central processing unit
3. Output unit

Components of a Computer System: Input Unit, Output Unit, CPU

While there are other components as well, these three are primarily responsible for making a
computer function. They must work in complete synergy because that will ensure smooth overall
functioning. Hence, we can even call them building blocks of a computer system.

Input Unit

These components help users enter data and commands into a computer system. Data can be in
the form of numbers, words, actions, commands, etc. The main function of input devices is to
direct commands and data into computers. Computers then use their CPU to process this data
and produce output.

For example, a laptop’s keyboard is an input unit that enters numbers and characters. Similarly,
even a mouse can be an input unit for entering directions and commands. Other examples
include barcode readers, Magnetic Ink Character Readers (MICR), Optical Character Readers
(OCR), etc.
Another example of input devices is touch-screens. Users can simply touch these screens without
using any other device to enter commands. From smartphones to ATM machines, these input
devices are becoming very popular these days.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

After receiving data and commands from users, a computer system now has to process it
according to the instructions provided by the user. Here, it has to rely on a component called the
central processing unit which is also called the brain of the computer. The CPU further uses these
three elements:

A) Memory Unit

Once a user enters data using input devices, the computer system stores this data in its memory
unit. This data will now remain here until other components of CPU process it. The memory unit
uses a set of pre-programmed instructions to further transmit this data to other parts of the CPU.

b) Arithmetic and Logic Unit

This part of the CPU performs arithmetic operations. It does basic mathematical calculations like
addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, etc. Further, it can even perform logical functions
like the comparison of data.

c) Control Unit

This unit is the backbone of computers. It is responsible for coordinating tasks between all
components of a computer system. The control unit collects data from input units and sends it to
processing units depending on its nature. Finally, it also further transmits processed data to
output units for users.

Output Unit

The third and final component of a computer system is the output unit. After processing of data,
it is converted into a format which humans can understand. After conversion, the output units
display this data to users. Examples of output devices include monitors, screens, printers and
speakers. Thus, output units basically reproduce the data formatted by the computer for users’
benefit.

Solutions for question 3

1. Architecture is the programmer’s interface while organization is the hardware designer’s

concern.
2. Architecture defines addressing modes while organization defines memory systems.
3. Architecture specifies data types while organization specifies hardware components.
4. Architecture deals with registers while organization deals with control signals.
5. Architecture is the ISA while organization is the microarchitecture.
6. Architecture directly impacts software design while organization impacts hardware
design.
7. Architecture defines functional behavior while organization defines structural
relationships.
8. Architecture is the high-level design while organization is the low-level implementation.
9. Architecture defines the machine language of commands while organization defines how
instructions are executed.
10. Architecture impacts the capabilities of the computer while organization: Impacts the
performance of the computer.
11. Architecture is how the programmer views the machine while organization is how the
hardware engineer builds the machine.
12. Architecture is concerned with the logical execution of instructions while organization is
concerned with the physical data paths.