What is Computer Architecture and Organization?

The attributes of a system having a direct impact on the program’s logical execution are collectively called the computer architecture. Instruction set and IO mechanisms are certain examples of the same. They are attributes which are visible to the programmer.

On the other hand, computer organization are the units of operation and their connection in between which realize specifications of architecture. These are transparent attributes to a programmer, for example control signals or the memory technology being used.

For example, the availability of a multiply instruction is an architectural issue while the process of implementation of such multiplication is an organizational issue of the computer.

References: Kurniawan, Wijaya, and Mochammad Hannats Hanafi Ichsan. “Teaching and learning support for computer architecture and organization courses design on computer engineering and computer science for undergraduate: A review.” In 2017 4th International Conference on Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics (EECSI), pp. 1-6. IEEE, 2017.