What Is Computer Architecture?
Computer architecture is the conceptual design and set of standards that determine how software and hardware come together to form a computer system or platform.
Modeling and standard solutions that reduce costs, enhance capabilities and meet business requirements are vital elements in this process. These encompass aspects such as server storage, data backup and virtual recovery.
Computer hardware
Computer hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system. These may include its case, central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers as well as any computer data storage.
These computer hardware components are all connected via a circuit board. Together, these hardware elements create the framework that enables software and other elements to run efficiently and smoothly in your system.
Computer hardware consists of four major categories: Input devices, processing devices, output devices and memory (storage) devices. The piece of hardware that a person uses to input information and commands into their CPU is known as an input device.
The output devices of a computer are used to show the results of its CPU. These include monitors, graphics cards and sound cards. The processing devices of the computer execute commands and calculations within software while memory stores instructions in binary code that can be decoded by the CPU.
Computer software
Computer software is a collection of programs that instruct the computer how to carry out certain tasks. This includes both system software and application software.
Application software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation enables users to perform specific tasks. System software controls the hardware and core operation of a computer while an operating system coordinates both hardware and application software.
Applications often come bundled together into packages for convenience, either free and open source or licensed and proprietary.
Computer architectures are composed of design principles that aim to balance performance, efficiency, cost-efficiency and reliability in computer systems. Popular computer architectures include the x86, SPARC and PowerPC processor families.
Computer architecture consists of three key areas: system design, instruction set architecture and microarchitecture. Each area works together to ensure a machine runs efficiently and precisely.
Computer system architecture
Computer architecture is a branch of engineering that deals with designing and implementing computer systems. It integrates hardware and software engineering to create computing devices such as desktop computers, mobile phones, servers, and embedded systems.
Computer systems’ architecture plays a significant role in their performance, dependability, energy efficiency and manufacturability. This architecture includes the design of processors and other parts, memory technologies and control signals.
Computer architecture differs from machine organization, which is the domain of programming engineers. Here, computer architects must balance competing demands for performance, efficiency, cost-efficiency and dependability by creating basic instructions referred to as instruction sets.
These instructions specify a series of basic operations that an application program may perform, such as adding, subtracting and branching. They are interpreted by the processor’s software before being executed by it.
Computer system design
Computer system design is the process of outlining the architecture, modules and components that comprise a computer system. It’s done to ensure that it functions optimally for an organization or business, meeting specific requirements.
Some computer systems can be purchased off the shelf, but many require extensive technical customizations in order to function optimally for a specific company. These initiatives usually necessitate an extensive study of your company’s requirements and the creation of custom software and hardware components.
Computer system design typically strives to enhance the speed, performance and energy efficiency of computers. This encompasses concepts like out-of-order execution, branch prediction and exception handling as well as advanced memory and storage systems.