3. Introduction to Computer Architecture
The chapter outlines the evolution and functioning of computers, detailing the fetch-execute cycle and the historical milestones in computing technology. It highlights key figures like Charles Babbage and innovations such as the punched card system, leading up to modern microprocessor developments. The ongoing trajectory of computational advancements is exemplified through Moore's Law and Intel's development timeline.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- The fetch-execute cycle is fundamental to how computers operate.
- Charles Babbage is recognized as the 'father of computing' for his invention of the analytical engine in the 1830s.
- Programming languages, such as Ada created by Augusta Ada, have evolved to enable better interaction with computing devices.
- The development of punched card systems significantly aided data input methods.
- Moore's Law describes the exponential growth in the number of transistors within integrated circuits, which has continued to hold true over decades.
Key Concepts
- -- FetchExecute Cycle
- The process by which a computer retrieves instructions from memory and executes them in a sequential manner.
- -- Analytical Engine
- An early mechanical general-purpose computer invented by Charles Babbage, recognized as the first concept of a programmable computer.
- -- Punched Card System
- A method of data input that uses cards with holes representing information, developed by Herman Hollerith.
- -- Moore's Law
- The observation that the number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every two years, leading to increased performance of computers.
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