Digital Computer Systems

Description

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the boundary between logic gates and software, and explain how computer systems are constructed and executed. This includes aspects such as how high-level concepts such as arithmetic and logic are mapped down to binary gates, and how CPUs can be constructed from those gates. On completing this course students will have a good understanding oh how the digital infrastructure underlying their software actually works. For AI students this will serve to de-mystify the operation of CPUs and logic for some students, and allow them to understand how to program efficiency and high-performance systems. For CE students this forms the basis on which computer architecture will be developed in 2nd year, then expanded in advanced computer architecture in 3rd year.