Von Neumann Architecture
An architecture on how a computer can be built. Simple and implementable proposal but not the best mechanism for operations such as disk access or time critical operations.
Von Neumann Machine
A computer structure resulting from Von Neumann architecture.
Parts of a Von Neumann Machine
- A memory - contains both data and instructions
- A calculating unit - capable of performing both arithmetic and logical operations on the data
- A control unit - which could interpret an instruction retrieved from the memory and select alternative courses of action based on the results of previous operations
CPU centric system
- Each operation is carried only by the CPU
- Every movement of data is made via the CPU
- Memory is the only “direct access” storage device for the CPU
- Only one operation is carried out by the CPU at any time