Using a simple emulated computer to facilitate understanding in introductory computer programming and computer organization/architecture classes

Authors:
Timothy D. Stanley;Dennis Fairclough;Roger deBry;Reza Kamali-Sarvestani
Affiliations:
Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah;Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah;Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah;Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah
Venue:
Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges
Year:
2013

Citing 5
Cited 0

Introduction to Computing Systems: From Bits & Gates to C & Beyond

Introduction to Computing Systems: From Bits & Gates to C & Beyond
Computer Organization and Design

Computer Organization and Design
Teaching computer architecture through simulation: (a brief evaluation of CPU simulators)

Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges
Step-by-step design and simulation of a simple CPU architecture

Proceeding of the 44th ACM technical symposium on Computer science education
The effectiveness of live-coding to teach introductory programming

Proceeding of the 44th ACM technical symposium on Computer science education

Quantified Score

Hi-index	0.00

Visualization

Abstract

This paper describes a very simple, four instruction CPU, designed using digital logic simulation software, and used briefly in introductory C# programming classes to illustrate computer architecture concepts needed to appreciate the programming process. It is very helpful in emphasizing that computers use only binary data to operate. Our past introduction to programming used static PowerPoint slides to illustrate the execution of a simple machine language program. With this simple CPU, the concepts presented in the slides can be demonstrated with an active processor with all registers visible, and is simple enough to produce a machine language program on the fly during class. It also provides an excellent introduction to computer architecture before getting bogged down in the details of a more complex instruction sets and processors.