Computer Science › Section C · Data manipulation › Topic C.1

Computer architecture: CPU and stored programs

Storing bits is only half of computing; something has to change them. This topic opens up the processor, shows how it trades data with memory over a bus, and explains the idea that made modern computers possible: keeping the program itself in memory.

In this topic

  • From storing data to changing it
  • The three parts of a CPU
  • The bus: how the CPU talks to memory
  • Worked example: applying a discount
  • The von Neumann model
  • Programming by rewiring
  • The stored-program concept
  • Registers, cache, memory and mass storage
  • Worked example: where does each item live?
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • Key takeaways

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