IT1910

Architecture Basics
COMPUTER SYSTEM
A computer is a device that can compute for the desired information through entering information. A system,
on the other hand, can be defined as many elements working as one. It is a working procedure or methods to
which a process is formed.
A computer system, therefore, is a system that comprises elements that process raw data and instruction.

Elements of a Computer System

 Data – It is the fundamental representation of facts and observations. It is processed by a computer
system to provide information, which is the very reason for the computer’s existence. It can also take
on a number of different forms: numbers, text, images, and sounds. However, it’s all numbers on the
computer.
 Software – It consists of system and application programs that define the instructions executed by the
hardware. It has an application programming interface (API) that acts as an interface for application
programs and utilities to access the internal services provided by the operating system. It also has a
kernel that contains the most important operating system processing functions.
Here are some examples of software:
• System software – Operating system (Windows 10)
• Application software – Web browser (Google Chrome)
 Hardware – This includes devices that process data by executing instructions, storing data, and moving
data and information between various Input/Output (I/O) devices, making the system and information
accessible to users. Listed below are the basic hardware components that a computer has:
• Microprocessor – It is where the computer processes all data and instructions (or commands
that a computer must do).
• Primary Storage – It is mostly used as temporary storage for processed data and running
applications. Most of them are volatile. Some of the examples are random access memory
(RAM) and cache memory.
• Secondary Storage – It is used to store files, applications, and operating system.
o HDD (Hard Disk Drive) – It is a type of a non-volatile storage media that stores data on
spinning magnetic disks rotating at a high-speed.
o Flash Drive – It is a type of non-volatile storage media that stores data in a single flash
memory. It is known for its portability.
o SSD (Solid State Drive) – It is a type of a non-volatile storage media that stores data on
a series of solid-state flash memory. It is known for its amazingly fast reading and
writing data.
• Input devices
o Keyboard – It is one of the primary input devices composed of buttons with
alphanumeric characters. It also performs other functions.
o Mouse – It is a handheld input device that is capable of controlling and maneuvering
graphical user interface (GUI) with the use of a cursor on display.

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• Output devices
o Monitor – It is capable of displaying the GUI of a computer.
o Printer – It is capable of representing data on paper.
 Communication – It consists of hardware and software that transport programs and data between
interconnected computer systems. A communication channel provides the connection between
computers. Some of the data media channels are copper, fiber-optic, and wireless (infrared [IR], radio
frequency [RF], Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth).

ARCHITECTURE
Architecture in computer systems is the design of computer components in hardware being used, in the flow
of data input-process-storage-output within the system, in algorithms being implemented, and more. The
design can be distinguished into two (2): by form and by function.
Design by Form: Classification of Computers
Design by form refers to the structure and size of a system. From the structure of the system, computer
systems can be classified by form to distinguish form factor.
• Microcomputers are usually small, low cost, and intended for one (1) user or one (1) device. These
are used for a large variety of applications, from network access to business, educational, and
entertainment applications and even games. (e.g., PC, PDA, gadgets, and console)
• Minicomputers are generally used in a multiuser environment. These servers act as a platform for a
specific application, such as a print server that manages all printers and handles all print tasks or a
mail server that manages all the organization’s mail. (e.g., single rack server [print, Web, file])
• Mainframes are large organizational computer systems that act as the main computational
infrastructure. These are usually very powerful and support many concurrent users.These systems
host an organization’s databases and provide applications to support all business processes. (e.g.,
server farms [dsata centers])

Design by Function: Computer Operations

Design by function pertains to the specific instruction or process that a computer system must have to meet
criteria and application. These are the simplest functions of a computer:
• Input/Output pertains to the placing of data in or out of the computer system.
• Basic arithmetic and logical calculations pertains to mathematic calculations and comparison.
• Data transformation or translation pertains to the data that changes from one form to another due
to instruction or need.
• Data sorting pertains to arrangement of data by a list or specific criterion or criteria.
• Searching for data matches pertains to the comparison of data to suffice condition.
• Data storage and retrieval pertains to getting and/or placing data in a non-volatile storage.
• Data movement pertains to the placement of data from one memory location to the other.

Design by Function: Moore’s Law

In addition to function, Moore’s Law can be included as a design by function due to the rapid influx of
technology in today’s standards. From the semiconductor industry perspective, this law represents designing
for rapid change of hardware. Thus, new architecture and emerging technology arise and is much better than

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the first one. It also states that integrated circuit resources double every 18–24 months. This law relies on
“Transistor count” as a basis for the advancement of integrated circuit.

Figure 1. Transistors versus years according to Moore’s Law

Architecture Complexity
As technology arises, computers become more advance to the point of designing complex computer systems
for a specific purpose. Thus, this results in the complexity of computer design. Through the complexity of
computer architecture, the design and understanding of computer systems become harder.

Solutions to Architecture Complexity

These are the different solutions to solve this architecture complexity challenges:
 Abstraction – It is used to characterize a certain object at different levels of representation offering
models. Basically, it is an ideal model put into a representation.

Figure 2. An example of abstraction – Input-process-output model.

 Computer Hierarchy – It is a structure that has a predetermined ordering from high to low. It refers
to systems that are organized in the shape of a pyramid, with each row of objects linked to objects
directly beneath it.

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Figure 3. An example of setting of hierarchy in computer terms (Memory hierarchy)

 Decomposition – It is a process of splitting the system in smaller chunks; people can work better by
working on smaller separate tasks. Once the system is decomposed, it does the following:
• Work on each chunk in different times (prioritizing important chunks)
• Give each chunk to a different person/team (work can be done in parallel).

References:
Berekovic, M., Buchty, R., Hamann, H., Koch, D., & Pionteck, T. (2018). Architecture of computing systems – ARCS 2018
proceedings. Switzerland: Springer Nature.
Cargnegie Mellon Computer Architecture. (2015, January 24). Lecture 2. Fundamental concepts and ISA - Carnegie Mellon
- Computer Architecture 2015 - Onur Mutlu [Video File]. Retrieved 2019, May 17 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpC39uS4K4o
Elahi, A. (2018). Computer systems - Digital design, fundamentals of computer architecture and assembly language.
Switzerland: Springer Nature.
Englander, Irv. (2014). The architecture of computer hardware, systems software & networking (5th ed.). New Jersey:
Wiley.
Fisher, T. (2019). What is device manager? [Web log post]. Retrieved 2019, May 17 from
https://www.lifewire.com/device-manager-2625860
Fisher, T. (2019). Task manager [Web log post]. Retrieved 2019, May 17 from: https://www.lifewire.com/task-manager-
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Patterson, D. & Hennessy, J. (2017). Computer organization and design – The hardware/software interface.
Massachusetts: Elsevier.
Roser, M. & Ritchie, H. (2019). Technological progress. Retrieved 2019, May 17 from Our World in Data website:
https://ourworldindata.org/technological-progress
Space Challenges. (2015, March 23). What is systems architecture (PART 1) [Video File]. Retrieved 2019, May 17 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGI3n8qLDN0
Yadin, A. (2016). Computer systems architecture. Florida: CRC Press.

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