Ultimate Digital Logic & Computer Architecture Study Guide – Clear, Concise & Exam-Ready!

Digital Logic Design and
Computer Architecture


Dr. Rahma Bouaziz , maître-assistant, FSG


A.U. 2023_2024




Chapter 1

Computer Abstractions
and Technology




The Computer Revolution
 Progress in computer technology
 Underpinned by Moore’s Law
 Makes novel applications feasible
 Computers in automobiles
 Cell phones
 Human genome project (analyze human DNA)
 World Wide Web
 Search Engines
 Computers are pervasive




Chapter 1 — Computer Abstractions and Technology — 3

, Classes of Computers
 Personal computers
 General purpose, variety of software
 Subject to cost/performance tradeoff

 Server computers
 Network based
 High capacity, performance, reliability
 Range from small servers to building sized




Chapter 1 — Computer Abstractions and Technology — 4




Classes of Computers
 Supercomputers
 High-end scientific and engineering calculations
 Highest capability but represent a small fraction of the overall
computer market

 Embedded computers
 Hidden as components of systems
 Stringent power/performance/cost constraints




Chapter 1 — Computer Abstractions and Technology — 5




The PostPC Era

 Personal Mobile Device (PMD)
 Battery operated
 Connects to the Internet
 Hundreds of dollars
 Smart phones, tablets, electronic glasses
 Cloud computing
 Warehouse Scale Computers (WSC)
 Software as a Service (SaaS)
 Portion of software runs on a PMD and a portion runs in the
Cloud
 Amazon and Google


Chapter 1 — Computer Abstractions and Technology — 6