Expectations for Exam number 1

ICOM 4215: Computer Architecture and Organization

Spring 2011, Nayda Santiago

 

The student will understand chapter 1 and 2 (up to section 2.2). Section 2.3 and on will be covered in exam 2.

The first exam is mostly theory. Emphasis will be given to the understanding of basic concepts.

Essay questions will show up in the exam.

Read and understand.

 

Important concepts:

       History of computers

       Assembler, linker, compiler, debugger, development system

       ALU, CPU, Memory

       Bus

       Fetch-execute cycle

       Program Counter

       Instruction register

       Not all computers are the same (different flavors)

       When is it useful to use assembly

       ISA

       RISC and CISC

       What does an instruction must contain

       Accessing memory

       Classification of instructions: ALU, data movement, control flow

       4- 3- 2- 1- 0- address machines and their trade offs

       Addressing modes

 

 

Exam on Thursday, March 3, 2011 12:30pm to 1:45pm (75 minutes).