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Below is the condensed version. (placeholder link) – includes diagrams, truth tables, and a glossary. 1. The Atom of Computing: Logic Gates Everything starts with a logic gate – a tiny circuit that makes a simple decision (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR).
A simple 8-bit processor like the or a student’s MIPS design uses ~20,000 gates – but conceptually, it’s just a large state machine. PDF Diagram: Block diagram of a tiny “LC-3” style CPU showing data path and control signals. 4. The Gap: Machine Code & Assembly The processor understands only machine code – raw binary (e.g., 10110000 01100001 ). Humans use assembly language (e.g., MOV AL, 61h ). logic gates circuits processors compilers and computers pdf
C code: int x = 5 + 3; Compiler → Assembly: MOV R1, #5 ADD R1, #3 MOV x, R1 Assembler → Machine code: 8-bit binary (actual bytes) Source → Lexer → Parser → IR → Optimizer → Code Generator → Binary. PDF Case study: What happens when you write if (a > b) x = 1; – show the branch instruction and flag register use. 6. The Complete Stack: From Gates to OS Now zoom out. A computer = processor + memory + I/O + system software. Below is the condensed version
Below is the condensed version. (placeholder link) – includes diagrams, truth tables, and a glossary. 1. The Atom of Computing: Logic Gates Everything starts with a logic gate – a tiny circuit that makes a simple decision (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR).
A simple 8-bit processor like the or a student’s MIPS design uses ~20,000 gates – but conceptually, it’s just a large state machine. PDF Diagram: Block diagram of a tiny “LC-3” style CPU showing data path and control signals. 4. The Gap: Machine Code & Assembly The processor understands only machine code – raw binary (e.g., 10110000 01100001 ). Humans use assembly language (e.g., MOV AL, 61h ).
C code: int x = 5 + 3; Compiler → Assembly: MOV R1, #5 ADD R1, #3 MOV x, R1 Assembler → Machine code: 8-bit binary (actual bytes) Source → Lexer → Parser → IR → Optimizer → Code Generator → Binary. PDF Case study: What happens when you write if (a > b) x = 1; – show the branch instruction and flag register use. 6. The Complete Stack: From Gates to OS Now zoom out. A computer = processor + memory + I/O + system software.