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).