L01 - Introduction 1 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Welcome to Comp 411! I thought this course was called “Computer Organization” David Macaulay 1) Course Mechanics 2) Course Objectives 3) Information

L01 - Introduction 2 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Lectures:Montek Singh (SN-245) Office Hours: TBA TA:John Hansen Book:Patterson & Hennessy Computer Organization & Design 3 rd Edition, ISBN: , June 2007 (However, you won’t need it for the next couple of weeks) Meet the Crew…

L01 - Introduction 3 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Credits These slides were developed by Leonard McMillan and adapted by Gary Bishop and me.

L01 - Introduction 4 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Problem sets will be distributed on the web and are due back on the date indicated before the lecture begins. Usually you will have one week to complete each set. Late problem sets will not be accepted, but the lowest two problem-set scores will be dropped. I will attempt to make Lecture Notes, Problem Sets, and other course materials available on the web Before Class on the day they are given. Course Mechanics Grading: Best 8 of 10 problem sets40% 2 Quizzes30% Final Exam30%

L01 - Introduction 5 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Comp 411: Course Website Will be up later today!

L01 - Introduction 6 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Goal 1: Demystify Computers Strangely, most people (even some computer scientists) are afraid of computers. We are only afraid of things we do not understand! I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them. - Isaac Asimov ( ) Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. - Bertrand Russell (1872 – 1970)

L01 - Introduction 7 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Goal 2: Power of Abstraction Define a function, develop a robust implementation, and then put a box around it. Abstraction enables us to create unfathomable machines called computers. Why do we need ABSTRACTION… Imagine a billion --- 1,000,000,000

L01 - Introduction 8 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 The key to building systems with >1G components Personal Computer: Hardware & Software Circuit Board:  8 / system 1-2G devices Integrated Circuit:  8-16 / PCB.25M-16M devices Module:  8-16 / IC 100K devices Cell:  1K-10K / Module devices Gate:  2-16 / Cell 8 devices Scheme for representing information MOSFET

L01 - Introduction 9 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 What do we See in a Computer? Structure – hierarchical design: – limited complexity at each level – reusable building blocks What makes a good system design? – “Bang for the buck”: minimal mechanism, maximal function – reliable in a wide range of environments – accommodates future technical improvements Interfaces – Key elements of system engineering; typically outlive the technologies they interface – Isolate technologies, allow evolution – Major abstraction mechanism Wait! I think I see a bug in the DIV logic. Got that one off the web. Sure hope it works.

L01 - Introduction 10 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Computational Structures What are the fundamental elements of computation? Can we define computation independent of the substrate on which it is are implemented?

L01 - Introduction 11 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Our Plan of Attack…  Understand how things work, by alternating between low-level (bottom-up) and high level (top- down) concepts  Encapsulate our understanding using appropriate abstractions  Study organizational principles: abstractions, interfaces, APIs.  Roll up our sleeves and design at each level of hierarchy  Learn engineering tricks - history - systematic design approaches - diagnose, fix, and avoid bugs

L01 - Introduction 12 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 How to get an A Or least get past the C wall Read the book! Do the work. Ask questions. Learn to deal with complexity.

L01 - Introduction 13 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Who I am

L01 - Introduction 14 Comp411 – Spring /10/2008 Who are you? Name? Major? Why are you taking this class? One thing we might not know about you?