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@shmVirus

Computer Architecture

CPU design, instruction sets, memory hierarchy, caching, pipelining, and the interface between hardware and low-level software.

Software runs on hardware, and understanding that hardware makes you a better programmer. This course traces computation from logic gates through ALUs, CPUs, memory hierarchies, caching, and pipelining.

Outcomes

  • Read and write small assembly programs for a simple instruction set
  • Trace a program through the fetch-decode-execute cycle step by step
  • Explain how caching and memory hierarchy affect real program performance
  • Describe how pipelining improves throughput and where hazards arise

Outline

Start →
  1. 01
    Digital LogicBoolean algebra, logic gates, combinational circuits, and the building blocks of computation.
  2. 02
    CPU DesignThe ALU, registers, control unit, and how instructions are fetched, decoded, and executed.
  3. 03
    Memory HierarchyRegisters, cache levels, RAM, and disk: latency, capacity, and the principle of locality.
  4. 04
    Pipelining and PerformanceInstruction pipelining, hazards, and the techniques CPUs use to execute instructions faster.