mechanical: calculating machine (Pascal, Difference engine, Charles
Babbage Analytical engine)
electromechanical: relay (early computer)
electronic: transister
integrated electronics: Small scale, Medium scale, Large scale
VLSI: system on chip
evolution of "programmability"
stored program computer
Von-Neumann, Harvard architecture
basic assembly language
high level language: "semantic gap" (direct execution architecture)
Stack-based vs Register-based instruction set
not enough address space
virtual memory
virtualisation
cycle per instruction: a metric that drive the revolution
super computing
Stallings, W., "Reduced instruction set computer architecture,"
Proceedings of the IEEE, Volume: 76 , Issue: 1, pp.38-55 (
local copy )
last update 1 Dec 2012