Discussion: 1 hour
Prerequisite: Course 40
Grading: Letter; two midterms (20% each), final exam (40%) and programming work (20%)
Catalog Description:
Comparative study of different hardware architectures, via programming
in the assembly languages of various machines. Role of system software
in producing an abstract machine. Only one unit credit allowed for students
who have taken EEC 70.
Expanded Course Description:
I. Basic Memory Architecture
Review of ECS 40 C-language material on bits, bytes and memory addresses. Linear versus segmented address forms.
II. Introduction to Processor Architecture
Introduction to instruction sets, addressing modes and register sets,
and their variation from one machine to another. Comparison of at least
one CISC architecture and at least one RISC architecture, via extensive
assembly-language programming on each. Effects of RISC on program size.
iII. The Role of System Software in Producing an Abstract Machine
Distinction between the roles of hardware and software. The use of
compilers and operating systems in providing abstractions and machine
independence to the programmer. Compiler implementation of C/Pascal data
types, and storage allocation of variables in memory. Role of the operating
system in helping the programmer to create, store and execute his/her
programs, and in managing system resources.
IV. Machine Capability and Speed
Transportability/nontransportability of programs on different machines,
and under different operating systems and compilers. Efficiency of compiled
vs. handcoded programs. Writing mixed C-language/assembly language programs
for extra efficiency or for special capabilities. Tradeoffs between the
speed of hardware implementation of a function and the flexibility of
software implementation.
Textbook:
Jaran and Bryant, Principles of Computer Systems, Prentice Hall, 1992
Computer Usage:
Extensive programming assignments, using assembly language and C.
Engineering Design Statement:
Students in the course write sophisticated, systems-level programs according
to their own design. Many of the programs involve analysis of tradeoffs
between efficient use of the hardware and ease of programming.
ABET Category Content:
Engineering Science: 2 units
Engineering Design: 2 units
Goals:
Instructors: M. Farrens, N. Matloff
Prepared by: M. Farrens, N. Matloff, R. Olsson (Nov. 1996)
Overlap Statement:
This course does not duplicate any existing course.
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