1.1.1 Computer Architecture

Question 1

What is Von Neumann architecture?

Answer 1

Architecture includes the basic components of the computer and processor, in which a shared memory and shared data bus is used for both data and instructions. Von Neumann architecture is built on the stored program concept.

Question 2

What is Harvard architecture?

Answer 2

Physically separate memories for instructions and data, more commonly used with embedded processors.This is useful for when memories have different characteristics, i.e. instructions may be read only, while data may be read-write.
This also allows you to optimize the size of individual memory cells and their buses depending on your needs, i.e. the instruction memory can be designed to be larger so a larger word size can be used for instructions.