Theoretical Computer Architectures: Von Neumann vs Harvard

Published on 2022-05-02

Category: Misc

The two theoretical computer architectures that I will touch on are the Von Neumann Architecture and the Harvard Architecture. Although very similar, they have their differences and are important when discussing how to design a computer.

Von Neumann Architecture

This architecture has a design that is close to how modern computers are made. It consists of:

• CPU with control and arithmetic units
• Memory for data and instructions
• Input device
• Output device

Harvard Architecture

The Harvard Architecture is almost exactly the same way Von Neumann’s Architecture is made, but it has a separate storage for data and instructions. Instead of placing them together in one memory location, there are two allocated storage locations for each respectively.

Other Theoretical Architectures

There are other theoretical computer architectures such as:

• Turing Machine: Holds a mathematical model of modern computers.
• Dataflow Architecture: Explains how functional units are triggered by the arrival of data instead of a designated time given by clock signals.

Conclusion

Understanding the Von Neumann and Harvard architectures provides insight into the foundations of modern computing. While both architectures share similarities, their differences are crucial in shaping how computers handle data and instructions. Explore these architectures further to appreciate the evolution of computational design.