Brief

What is computer architecture

Architecture = Function

(Classic) Narrow view of computer architecture is what the assembly language programmer see, i.e. computer architecture is the instruction set.
Broad view is the instruction set including its implementation.

An implementation can be regarded as two aspects : one is the organization and the other is the technology.  The organization describes the functional units inside a processor and their relationship.  The technology aspect determines how it is possible to build a processor.
An organization of a processor can be called "micro architecture".

Performance = how fast a processor complete its job.

Measure by its execution time of a suite of programs called "benchmark programs".
execution time = number of instruction used x cycle per instruction x cycle time
number of instruction depends on instruction set design
cycle per instruction depends on micro architecture
cycle time depends on technology
 
 A computer designer must must make decision how to select and integrate various components such as : processor, memory, input/output into a computer system by designing their interconnections.

Computer architecture is driven by the advancement of technology.
A designer must evaluate an architecture with its technology.
The study of computer architecture is the study of method for selection and evaluation.
One important aspect of computer design is instruction set design.
Computer architecture is different from its implementation.
Various parts of a computer can be either hardware of software.
Hardware and Software is interchangable.
 

Brief History of computer

Mechanical era
1642 Blaise Pascal invented a machine that can add/substract numbers
1666 Samuel Morland invented a machine that can muliply by repeated addition.
1671 Gottfried Leibniz, an adding and muliplying machine
1820 Charles Babbage, Difference engine
1830 Charles Babbage, Analytical engine  (Father of modern computer)

Electromagnetic era (relays)
1880 Herman Hollerith, punch card machine
1924 Thomas J. Watson founded IBM
1930 Beginning of computer age
            Howard H. Aiken, Harvard university (MARK I)
            John V. Anatasoff, Iowa State univ.
            George R. Stibitz, Bell telephone lab.
            Konrad Zuse, Technische Hochschule in Berlin, ZUSE 1
1946 Eckert & Mauchly, ENIAC
1950 John Von Neumann, EDVAC

Electronics era
1950 Alan Turing, ACE
1951 Forrester (MIT), Whirlwind
1952 Goldstine & Neumann, IAS  (fist stored program  computer)

Computer industry era
1951 Remington Rand, UNIVAC
1952 IBM 701

Type of computer