Computer architecture
S Giles
4 points * 2 hours per week * First semester * Caulfield * Prerequisites: COT1130 and COT1140
This subject aims to enable students to develop an advanced level of awareness of, and familiarity with, techniques required for the development of software that interfaces with computer internals and peripheral devices. Topics covered include CPU internals (registers, ALU, CU, etc); assembly language techniques (structured design, macroassembly, linking, debugging); the Intel 80x86 family instruction set; peripherals (serial ports, parallel ports, keyboard, display, etc); BIOS and operating system interaction; BIOS; DOS system calls; interrupt vector table; TSR programming; device drivers and I/O interfacing.
Assessment
Examination (2 hours): 50% * Two practical assignments: 50%
Recommended texts
Matloff N IBM microcomputer architecture and assembly language: A look under the hood Prentice-Hall, 1992
Thorne M Computer organization and assembly language programming for IBM PCs and compatibles 2nd edn, Benjamin-Cummings, 1991