Breif History Of Computer Architecture

In simple terms, computer architecture refers to a set of methods and rules that describe the basic functionality, implementation and organization of a computer system. Computer architecture does not actually define a particular computer implementation but it describes the programming model and capabilities of a computer. Computer architecture involves logic design and implementation, micro-architecture and instruction set architecture.

The first recorded documentation of Computer architecture was in record between Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, which described the analytical engine (the analytical engine was a proposed general purpose mechanical-computer). Some of the earlier documentation was that of John Von Neumann (First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC) in 1945, describing organization and arrangement of logical elements and that of Alan Turing where he proposed and Electronic Calculator used for Automatic Computing Engine, which was more detailed.

The term Architecture and its use can be traced to the reports of the members of IBM s machine organization department in 1959, their names include

Frederick P. Brooks. Jr.

Mohammad Usman Khan

Lyle R. Johnson

The term computer architecture evidently seemed more acceptable and more useful as compare to terms like machine organization or system architecture hence it was widely accepted and adopted as a standard in referring to the design implementation of a computer system.

The importance and contribution of computer architecture in the boom in technology of the 21st century is undoubtedly massive. A number of factors are considered in the selection and improvement of architecture for a computer the major aim of the architecture of any computer includes the following

Maximize performance

Moderate power consumption

Ensuring cost efficiency in relation to the performance

In other to ensure these three factors are met, engineers look into the Functional Organization, Instruction Set Design, Implementation and Logic Design. Implementation also involves a critical look at the Integrated Circuit Design, Power, Packaging and cooling of the system. In other to efficiently optimize any computer design, a good knowledge of the Operating System, Logic Design, Compilers and Packaging is important.

Computer architecture determines the need of users and their seeming problems and fashion a design to meet those needs as efficiently as possible putting technological mitigations and economic constrains. Size is also a great factor that is always considered among many other factors, but it can be argued that all these factors could be categorized under efficiency.

Fredrick P. Brooks Jr. proceeded to help in the development of the IBM zSeries then known as IBM System/360 line of computers. During the development of this project, architecture became a noun used to define what the users need to know . Later on, the word architecture was generally accepted by designers as a register in the designing of computers and also in different ways by users.