How Computers Work

Where did computers come from?

Overview

Let’s breakdown how a computer actually works when running and compiling a program. I want to learn all the levels of abstraction that are involved in running a single computer operation.

Similar to the OSI model concept for networking applications. What’s a similar thought model for the CPU?

Software	Software	Application
		Algorithm
		Programming Language
		Assembly
		Machine Code
		ISA (Instruction Set Architecture)
Hardware		Digital	Micro Architecture
	Gates/Registers
	Analog	Devices (Transistors)
		Physics

ISA (Instruction Set Architectures)

Is ISA the same as Assembly?

No, Assembly is a higher level abstraction on top of the ISA. The ISA defines what operations are avialable on the hardware. Assembly operations will be converted to compatible ISA operations for the given architecture.

Is there a compiler for mapping assembly to valid ISA instructions?

Yes, this is known as the assembler.

Machine Code/Microcode/Architecture

What’s the difference between machine code and microcode?

Fetch Decode Exec Write Cycle

Physical Transistor Switching

Transistors (specifically MOSFETS?) are wired together to create small circuits or gates. As an example you can create an AND gate and now that’s your next level of abstraction.