CENG 3351 Computer Architecture
Spring 2021
Homework 1
Due Date: February 9
Answer the following questions in your textbook. Show your work.
1. (34 pts) The followings are some of the essential terms in Chapter 1 of your textbook. Explain
each term in a few sentences in your own words. If appropriate, you may write a formula, list the
types, give an example, etc.
- Computer Architecture : Computer architecture is a specification detailing how a set of
software and hardware technology standards interact to form a computer system or platform
- Moore’s Law: the number of transistors on an affordable CPU would double about every 18
month
- Amdahl’s Law:
Speed up = Pe/Pw or Ew/Ee
Pe: performance for entire task using enhancement when possible.
Pw: performance for entire task without using the enhancement.
Ew: execution time for entire task without using the enhancement.
Ee: execution time for entire task using the enhancement when possible
- High-level program
High-level language enables a programmer to write programs that are more or less independent
of a particular type of computer.
- Assembly program
Assembly language are languages that are close to machine languages.
- Machine code
Computer program written in machine language
- Compiler
The environment to run code written in high-level language
- Assembler
a program that converts assembly language into machine code
- Operating System
An interface between a computer hardware and the user.
- CPU, Processor
Spring 2021
Homework 1
Due Date: February 9
Answer the following questions in your textbook. Show your work.
1. (34 pts) The followings are some of the essential terms in Chapter 1 of your textbook. Explain
each term in a few sentences in your own words. If appropriate, you may write a formula, list the
types, give an example, etc.
- Computer Architecture : Computer architecture is a specification detailing how a set of
software and hardware technology standards interact to form a computer system or platform
- Moore’s Law: the number of transistors on an affordable CPU would double about every 18
month
- Amdahl’s Law:
Speed up = Pe/Pw or Ew/Ee
Pe: performance for entire task using enhancement when possible.
Pw: performance for entire task without using the enhancement.
Ew: execution time for entire task without using the enhancement.
Ee: execution time for entire task using the enhancement when possible
- High-level program
High-level language enables a programmer to write programs that are more or less independent
of a particular type of computer.
- Assembly program
Assembly language are languages that are close to machine languages.
- Machine code
Computer program written in machine language
- Compiler
The environment to run code written in high-level language
- Assembler
a program that converts assembly language into machine code
- Operating System
An interface between a computer hardware and the user.
- CPU, Processor
