Computer architecture: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:40, 16 October 2024

Revision as of 17:41, 16 October 2024

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===Definition===

Computer architecture is concerned with balancing the performance, efficiency, cost, and reliability of a computer system. The case of instruction set architecture can be used to illustrate the balance of these competing factors. More complex [[Instruction Sets|instruction setsset]]s enable programmers to write more space efficient programs, since a single instruction can encode some higher-level abstraction (such as the [[X86 instruction listings|x86 Loop instruction]]).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Null |first1=Linda |title=The Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture |date=2019 |publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning |___location=Burlington, MA |isbn=9781284123036 |page=280 |edition=5th}}</ref> However, longer and more complex instructions take longer for the [[Processor (computing)|processor]] to decode and can be more costly to implement effectively. The increased complexity from a large instruction set also creates more room for unreliability when instructions interact in unexpected ways.

The implementation involves [[integrated circuit design]], packaging, [[Electric power|power]], and [[cooling]]. Optimization of the design requires familiarity with [[Compiler|compilers]], [[Operating system|operating systems]] to [[logic design]], and packaging.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cis.upenn.edu/~milom/cis501-Fall11/lectures/00_intro.pdf|title=What is computer architecture?|last=Martin|first=Milo|website=UPENN|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref>