Architecture of Computer Systems

Computer architecture is a field of study that focuses on designing and implementing computer systems, particularly the design of computer chips and computer systems. It also develops computer systems that integrate networking, storage, and processing. 

Computing devices such as desktop and notebook computers, servers, and mobile devices are designed using computer architecture. Computer architecture is critical to the performance, reliability, energy efficiency, and manufacturability of computer systems.

Architecture in Computer Science 

Architecture is the structure or framework of a computer system or project. It describes the way things are organised and how they relate to each other. In computer programming, architecture refers to the structure of the software and the design decisions made when writing the code. Architectural decisions are often strategic and help determine the long-term direction of a piece of software.

Computer architecture, also referred to as computer system architecture, is the design of the hardware components and the software that makes a computer operate. The purpose of computer architecture is to increase the efficiency and performance of the computing system. The design of computer systems and the methods used to create them are part of computer engineering.

The architecture of a system is a set of interconnected building blocks, each of which performs a particular function in the system. The architecture of a computer system, for example, might include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory unit, and a graphical processing unit (GPU). 

A hierarchy of intermediate devices interconnects these building blocks. One may also describe the architecture of a system in terms of its data structure and its set of interrelationships between its components.

Types of Computer Architecture 

Computer architecture is the science of building computers and computer systems. The design of the fundamental units – the chips, memory, and interconnections – makes a computer work. The three major categories of architecture are :-

 The central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), and network processors. 

The CPU is the main part of the computer that performs calculations and logic.

The Architecture of a CPU (central processing unit)

A brief about CPUs

The central processing unit (CPU) is the primary unit of a computer. It is the component that manipulates data by performing operations such as addition, subtraction, and data processing instructions. The faster and more complicated the operations required of the CPU, the more complex, powerful, and expensive the CPU will be.

Let us study the architecture of a CPU :-

One can classify the CPU into three major parts:  the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), the control unit (CU), and registers.

The Arithmetic Logic Unit: 

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) performs the basic arithmetic and logic operations that enable a computer to perform complex tasks. The ALU is usually the most complex piece of a computer’s processor and performs the most calculations at once. 

The ALU contains registers and logic gates that perform operations such as addition and comparison. One can find the ALU on many types of processors, but the most common are the microprocessor and the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). 

The Control Unit: 

The control unit is the brain of the computer. It is responsible for directing the flow of information and making decisions about what to do next. 

Some older computers had multiple control units that could be programmed to carry out complex sequences of actions. But today, most computers have a single control unit. The first computers were built with vacuum tubes and switches, but today’s computers use microprocessors and chips containing millions of transistors. 

Registers: 

Registers are physical units of storage that perform the actual computing. These registers are tiny boxes that organise the computer’s memory. They contain the data and instructions your CPU needs to run your programs.

The GPU has registers that hold the data being processed by the graphics pipeline. The registers in both units are designed to be fast, flexible, and scalable. 

The registers are numbered from 0 to n-1. The first register on the left is numbered 0; the second is 1; and so on.

Conclusion

The field of computer science is a broad area of study that includes the development of new technologies, the understanding of algorithms and programming languages, and the study of computer architecture. The architecture of a computer system is the design of its basic units, such as microprocessors, memory, and interconnections. The architecture of a computer system determines its overall performance and capabilities. 

When we talk about the architecture of a computer, we refer to the fundamental design of the system’s basic components.