4.7.1 Fo CompOrgArch (Computer Architecture)

Question 1

What are the two main types of computer architecture and the difference betweenn them

Answer 1

• Harvard
• Von Neumann
  Von Neumann architecture uses one shared memory for both data and instructions, while Harvard architecture uses separate memory for data and instructions.

Question 2

What is meant by computer architecture in this context

Answer 2

The different ways of setting up the CPUs access to the main memory

Question 3

What are the advantages of Von Neumann

Answer 3

• Allows various different tasks to be handled as long aas they are loded into the main memory
• Instructions can be changed dynamically for the need of the program

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of Von Neumann

Answer 4

• Because both instructions and data share the same data bus, a bottleneck can occur when the CPU has to wait for one to be transferred before it can access the other.
• It is generally slower than the Havard approach

Question 5

What are the advantages of Harvard architecture

Answer 5

• No bottleneck between data and instruction retreival
• Generally quicker than Von Neumann for the same power output
• It is better defended against viruses

Question 6

Why is the Harvard approach better defended against viruses

Answer 6

Viruses are instructions disguised as data, so when they’re sent through the data bus and try to execute, they fail in Harvard architecture because the CPU separates data from instructions — but in Von Neumann architecture, it doesn’t, making it more vulnerable.

Question 7

What is the Harvard approach used for

Answer 7

Embedded systems such as digital signal processing (DSP) systems

Question 8

What is the Von Neumann approach used for

Answer 8

general purpose computing systems