Part A:
Systems Architecture definition-
Why knowledge of systems architecture is important to different roles and job titles (high-level overview from online lecture and in-class discussion)
Part B-
Definition of a computer, functions
Types of implementations for automated computation - Limitations of early mechanical systems; advantages of electronic implementation, optical, quantum computing
Processor function, types (distinction between general-purpose and special-purpose)
Function of components (primary storage; bus; secondary storage; I/O)
CPU components - CU, ALU, Registers
Computer types and classifications
Virtualization
Multicomputer configurations - cluster, blade, grid, cloud
Types of software classifications - distinction between application programs, utility programs, and system software; layered approach to software design
Operating System functions
Part C:
Data representation - definition
Reasons for binary representation
Numbering systems
Conversions (bin-hex-decimal); unsigned integers; signed integers (two's complement method only) - note: be able to do this without a calculator
Goals/Tradeoffs of data representation/encoding methods - be sure that you know CARES and be able to explain goals and tradeoffs in context of the primitive data types; how are they related;
Five primitive data types
Problems of range limitations (how caused), overflow and underflow; precision and truncation
Character data representation (ASCII, EBCDIC, Unicode) - basic differences, impact on range/compactness/standardization
Data structures (arrays, linked list, doubly-linked list)