Machine Architecture I

This class emphasizes the relationship between high level programming languages and the hardware they compile and run upon. We take a closer look at how code actually runs on the processor in terms of clock cycles, the assembly produced, and the trade-offs between memory versus CPU overhead. Close attention is given to memory operations and bitwise manipulation. Time is also spent learning how to navigate around a command-line Unix-based environment as an introduction
to a non-Windows based operating system.

Course Outline

• Data Representation
• Von Neumann Architecture
• X86 Instructions
• Instructions Set Construction
• Cache Memory
• Virtual Memory