Machine Architecture

The following lessons introduce the topic of machine architecture by explaining data storage in
computers, gates and circuits, and the central processing unit. Each lesson includes a set of
review questions which test the important concepts from the lesson and provide practice
problems. After reading each lesson, you should work the review questions before proceeding to
the next lesson. Use the navigation bar at the top of this page to view the lessons and access the
review questions. Each lesson page has a link on the navigation bar which will take you to the
review questions for that lesson. To begin your study, click

at the top of this page.

Lessons:
I.
II.

Introduction to Machine Architecture

Data Storage

III.

Gates

IV.

Circuits

V.
VI.

The Central Processing Unit

Summary

Learning objectives:

Explain the various ways data is represented in computer memory

Reproduce the truth tables for the AND, OR, and NOT gates
Trace the logic of circuits composed of a few simple gates
Describe the behavior of the following circuits: the decoder, the latch, and the adder
Write simple programs in machine code