Tag: Computer Organization Carl Hamacher

Computer Organization Hamacher | Best COA Books

Computer Organization By Carl Hamacher

 

This article reviews the book “Computer Organization” by Carl Hamacher, Zvonko Vranesic and Saftwat Zaky.

The article covers-

  • Special features of book
  • Analysis of Content
  • Analysis of Exercises
  • Necessary Instructions
  • Conclusion

 

Why Should Be Read?

 

Special Features of Book-

 

The special features of this book are-

  • It contains the most recommended text for this subject.
  • It has simple diagrams which are quite clear in their meanings.
  • Its examples very well explains how the concepts are implemented in modern computer systems.
  • The explanation of Memory System topic is the best among all the textbooks on this subject.
  • It has high quality numerical questions in its exercises which are very useful for practice.

 

Analysis of Content-

 

The following table analyzes sections of the book that are relevant for GATE-

 

Chapter No. GATE Relevant Sections GATE Topics Covered
1 1.2 Functional Units of Computer
1.4 Number Representation

(Signed Magnitude, 1’s and 2’s Complement System)

2 2.1 Memory and Addresses
2.2
2.5 Addressing Modes
2.7 Input / Output Operations
2.9 Subroutines
4 4.2 Interrupts
4.4 Direct Memory Access (DMA)
4.5 Buses
5 5.1 to 5.9 Memory System

(Organization of RAM Chip, Cache Memory, Virtual Memory etc)

6 6.1 Signed Number Addition Using Adders
6.2
6.4 Booth’s Algorithm
6.7 Floating Point Number Representation

(Listed Under Digital Logic in GATE Syllabus)

7 7.1 to 7.5 Processing and Control Unit

(Hardwired, Microprogrammed)

8 8.1 to 8.5 Pipelining

(Basics, Hazards, Operand Forwarding, Branch Prediction etc)

Covering Only These Sections Is Enough

 

Analysis of Exercises-

 

The following table analyzes exercises of the book that are relevant for GATE-

 

Chapter No. Question No.
1 1.5, 1.6
2 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 2.8, 2.13, 2.17, 2.20
4 4.3, 4.8, 4.12, 4.20
5 5.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.13, 5.14, 5.16, 5.18, 5.19, 5.21, 5.25, 5.27, 5.29
6 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.17, 6.22, 6.25, 6.26, 6.27
7 7.4, 7.5, 7.8, 7.18, 7.21, 7.26, 7.30
8 8.1, 8.2, 8.13, 8.14, 8.15

Practicing Only These Exercises Is Enough

 

Necessary Instructions-

 

Keep the following instructions in mind while reading the book-

  • Many students find this subject comparatively tough for GATE exam.
  • The questions asked in the exam are highly conceptual in nature.
  • Be thorough with the concepts.
  • Read the relevant sections thoroughly.
  • Multiple readings may be needed for some sections.
  • Give utmost importance to the topics of Memory System and Pipelining.
  • It is very essential to solve the exercises to get a good grip over the subject.

 

Conclusion-

 

  • This textbook caters the need of all the students pretty well.
  • The carefully-curated examples make this book insightful to read.
  • The exercise questions are rich in quality.
  • Some questions are above the level of questions asked in the GATE exam.
  • The chapters of Memory System, Arithmetic and Pipelining are covered in great depth.
  • Overall, this book is a must read while preparing this subject for GATE exam.

 

THIS BOOK IS SELF-SUFFICIENT FOR GATE EXAM.

 

 

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Other Recommended Books-

 

Computer Organization: A Quantitative Approach By Hennesy and Patterson-

 

 

Computer Organization and Architecture By William Stallings-