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-