"Computer Structure and Machine Language"
### 1. Computer History
- Computer Generations and Types : Understanding the evolution of computers, from early mechanical
devices to modern digital computers, helps provide context for current technology.
- Von Neumann Model : This is foundational to understanding how most modern computers are designed,
with a single memory store for both data and instructions.
### 2. Data
- Numbers (Float/Integer, Signed/Unsigned, Binary/Decimal) : Fundamental for understanding how data
is represented and manipulated at the machine level.
- Characters (7, 8-bit, and 16, 32-bit) : This is crucial for understanding text representation in computers,
especially in assembly language and machine code.
### 3. Computer Structure
- CPU, ALU, Registers, CU, Main Memory, Common BUS: These components are central to
understanding how a computer processes instructions and data.
- Fetch-Execute Cycles: This is a core concept that explains how a CPU executes instructions, making it
essential for understanding machine language.
- Addressing Types: Understanding different addressing modes is key to writing and understanding
assembly and machine code.
- Assembly Codes, Simple Machine Code: Practical exposure to these topics is critical for grasping low-
level programming.
- Assembler, Debugger, Compiler, Linker, Loader: These tools and concepts are necessary for translating
high-level code into machine code and understanding how programs are executed.
### 4. CISC (Instruction Set)
- CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) architectures are widely used, and understanding their
instruction sets is important for students learning about different CPU designs.
### 5. Minimum RISC Computer
- RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architectures are another essential area of study, especially
for understanding different approaches to CPU design.
These topics collectively provide a comprehensive foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of
computer structure and machine language, making them highly appropriate for the course.
