Update plans: pointers in teaching computer architecture

Authors:
Hugh Osborne;Jiří Mencák
Affiliations:
University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, U.K.;University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, U.K.
Venue:
WCAE '02 Proceedings of the 2002 workshop on Computer architecture education: Held in conjunction with the 29th International Symposium on Computer Architecture
Year:
2002

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Abstract

Pointers are intrinsic to Computer Science. Each field of Computer Science seems to use its own more or less ad hoc notation for describing pointers and operations on pointers, thus impeding crossover of students' skills from one area to another. This paper describes Update Plans, a "universal" pointer specification language, and its application to teaching Computer Architectures. Consistent use of Update Plans as a supplement to traditional notations can greatly enhance students' ability to apply skills learned in Computer Architecture courses to other pointer applications, and this is also illustrated.