Learn: Von Neumann Architecture - The Stored Program Concept

Welcome!You've already studied how the CPU works, including the fetch-execute cycle and the role of registers. Today, we'll build on that knowledge and explore the Von Neumann Architecture, focusing on the Stored Program Concept.

What is Von Neumann Architecture?The Von Neumann Architecture describes a computer design where instructions and data are stored in the same memory. It uses a single bus for data transfer, simplifying the structure of the computer. This is important because it forms the foundation of most modern computers.

The Stored Program ConceptIn the Stored Program Concept, both instructions (programs) and data are stored in memory together. The CPU fetches instructions from memory, decodes them, and executes them. This allows a computer to run different programs without changing its hardware.

Memory Address Register (MAR) and Memory Data Register (MDR)The Memory Address Register (MAR) holds the address of the memory location that the CPU wants to access. The Memory Data Register (MDR) holds the actual data being read or written to memory. These registers are essential for transferring instructions and data between memory and the CPU.

The Program Counter (PC)The Program Counter (PC) is a register that keeps track of the address of the next instruction to be fetched from memory. After the CPU fetches an instruction, the PC increments to point to the next instruction. This ensures the program runs sequentially.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about the Von Neumann Architecture and the Stored Program Concept. Let's test your understanding with a few questions.