Computer Architecture: what is it?

[Block G Raptor]

I'm doing an Hon degeree in computers at the moment, Starting semester 2 on monday. Included is a module on Computer Architecture just wondering exactly what this entails. my understanding was that it was designing systems given criteria ie. a company comes to me and say's I need my business to do x,y and z what kit do I need? although when i look on wiki it gives two different definitions. 1 is what I outlined above but the other is all about the inner workings of chips and ports etc. can anyone on here who's done a similar degree shed some light on this

[Mr A]

I did a computer architecture module and it was generally based around the hardware side of things and how the different components operate and fit together. That particular module had an OS element as well but I suspect yours will be mostly hardware stuff unless that's called out. Pretty interesting stuff it was too.

[paul_oshea]

It depends on the degree and where you are doing it to be honest.

I did two modules(semesters) of it, first one was only partially around hardware, thats not really architecture to be honest. The other module and most of the second half of the first one was around assembly, writing assembly code, programming nan/nors/or gates all that.

I reckon though by the sounds of it yours is actually around the physical hardware as opposed to the above, if so it should be fine. Just read up on hardware specs, network architecture, lans etc etc

[Block G Raptor]

Thanks Lads

[Deckydee]

Have you done anything on Software Developement yet?

Is that part of your course? I can advise there if necessary

[John83]

It amounts to stuff like this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_architecture

Most courses like that I've seen have other components though too, which will depend on exactly what they're going for. The lads above have covered the bases.

[Block G Raptor]

Have you done anything on Software Developement yet?

Is that part of your course? I can advise there if necessary

Yeah Just finished "Fundamentals of Programming 1(Java)" Had no previous experience at programming (well did some Basic on C64 when i was a kid)
Lovin' it so far. we've covered quite a bit. modular programming, variables, conditional expressions, iteration, selection stuff like that.
was really surprised i've taken to it like a Duck to Water

[Extra Extra]

Modules on Computer Architecture are usually hardware based. The module may take a look at the fundemental elements of some of the earliest computers like the Z80 & work from there to cover the hardware elements of modern machines.

[Deckydee]

Yeah Just finished "Fundamentals of Programming 1(Java)" Had no previous experience at programming (well did some Basic on C64 when i was a kid)
Lovin' it so far. we've covered quite a bit. modular programming, variables, conditional expressions, iteration, selection stuff like that.
was really surprised i've taken to it like a Duck to Water

Cool, glad to see that you enjoyed it. I was in Infrastructure for 10 years and had to get out because of the lack of jobs in this area. Thats why I am learning programming here in Belgium now.

It can be frustrating at times!

[Block G Raptor]

It can be frustrating at times!

Damn right it can. but there is something very satisfying when you hear the compiler ping and see the message "Tool completed successfully"
Love it

[awec]

I did a comp sci degree, architecture was all real low level stuff. Getting down to electronics level really, and we learnt assembly language.

A bitch, and uninteresting in my view, but you might like it.

[paul_oshea]

AWEC im guessing you went to queens?

Ya that was my experience of it as well. nothing to do with hardware in terms of putting together a computer etc....

[A N Mouse]

Damn right it can. but there is something very satisfying when you hear the compiler ping and see the message "Tool completed successfully"
Love it

I work with a few tools

[awec]

AWEC im guessing you went to queens?

Ya that was my experience of it as well. nothing to do with hardware in terms of putting together a computer etc....

Yep, Queens.

Didn't enjoy architecture at all, it's an aquired taste I reckon.

We had to do stuff like program calculators and simulate ATM machines in assembly, which is harder than it sounds considering there is no multiply or divide operator.

[Block G Raptor]

I did a comp sci degree, architecture was all real low level stuff. Getting down to electronics level really, and we learnt assembly language.

A bitch, and uninteresting in my view, but you might like it.

Had First lecture today. It seems to be exactly what you've posted above. parrallel C Programming for multi processor chip's , Assembly Language, Linkers stuff like that
all a bit over my head at the moment but thats to be expected

[awec]

It's one of those things that you'll find half your class will never get their head around.

[tetsujin1979]

I still wake up on cold sweats because of assembly. Unless you plan on getting into low-level electronics, it's something you'll more than likely never use outside of this course

[paul_oshea]

Ya probably the toughest one i did and too many failed it in the first semester that they had to put on another test

In the end i think you had 4 attempts (tests) to get it right but everytime you didnt get it you lost 5 oe 10% off your final mark.

The thing is i actually liked the other side of it quite a bit and found it manageable but i have to say i wasn't gone on assembly. IT is tough raptor get on top of it as quickly as you can.

[Block G Raptor]

IT is tough raptor get on top of it as quickly as you can.

don't I know it. I worked in the IT industry for 7 years before starting the Degree. So I've a bit of an advantage over the school leavers in that respect. I'll be 35 when I finish the degree so this is kinda last chance saloon so I'll be taking it very very seriously. thanks for the advice Paul.

[tetsujin1979]

guy in my class in college was in the same situation, had worked in IT for years, but came back to do his degree.