Fundamentals of Computer Architecture and the 8086 Microprocessor
Core Computer System Components
Hardware, Software, and Firmware Defined
Hardware is the physical part of a system. Software is a set of programs and applications consisting of instructions and routines that are used to coordinate programs and microprogrammable devices. Firmware is system software recorded in the electronic structure of a system, containing a set of programs that serve as intermediaries between software and hardware.
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
The ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is the operational part of a microprocessor. This complex combinational circuit is responsible for performing arithmetic and logic operations. ALU types include 0-address, 1-address, 2-address, and 3-address ALUs. Inside the ALU are two registers: the...