Book Image

Computer Architecture with Python and ARM

By : Alan Clements
Book Image

Computer Architecture with Python and ARM

By: Alan Clements

Overview of this book

This comprehensive guide offers a unique and immersive learning experience by combining Python programming with ARM architecture. Starting with an introduction to computer architecture and the flow of data within a computer system, you’ll progress to building your own interpreter using Python. You’ll see how this foundation enables the simulation of computer operations and learn ways to enhance a simulator by adding new instructions and displaying improved results. As you advance, you’ll explore the TC1 Assembler and Simulator Program to gain insights into instruction analysis and explore practical examples of simulators. This will help you build essential skills in understanding complex computer instructions, strengthening your grasp of computer architecture. Moreover, you’ll be introduced to the Raspberry Pi operating system, preparing you to delve into the detailed language of the ARM computer. This includes exploring the ARM instruction set architecture, data-processing instructions, subroutines, and the stack. With clear explanations, practical examples, and coding exercises, this resource will enable you to design and construct your own computer simulator, simulate assembly language programs, and leverage the Raspberry Pi for ARM programming.

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Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Preface
Preface
Who this book is for
What this book covers
To get the most out of this book
Download the example code files
Conventions used
Get in touch
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1
Part 1: Using Python to Simulate a Computer
Part 1: Using Python to Simulate a Computer
Free Chapter
2
Chapter 1: From Finite State Machines to Computers
Chapter 1: From Finite State Machines to Computers
Technical requirements
The finite state machine
Summary
3
Chapter 2: High-Speed Introduction to Python
Chapter 2: High-Speed Introduction to Python
Technical requirements
Reading programs
Getting started with Python
Python’s data types
Mathematical operators
Names, values, and variables
Comments
Functions in Python
Conditional operations and decision-making
Computer memory
Summary
4
Chapter 3: Data Flow in a Computer
Chapter 3: Data Flow in a Computer
Technical requirements
The Instruction Architecture Level (ISA)
The von Neumann architecture
An assembly-level program
The machine-level instruction
Summary
5
Chapter 4: Crafting an Interpreter – First Steps
Chapter 4: Crafting an Interpreter – First Steps
Technical Requirements
Building a simple computer interpreter in Python
Decoding and executing an instruction
Functions in Python
Summary
6
Chapter 5: A Little More Python
Chapter 5: A Little More Python
Technical requirements
More string features
String processing
List comprehensions
Summary
7
Chapter 6: TC1 Assembler and Simulator Design
Chapter 6: TC1 Assembler and Simulator Design
Technical requirements
Analyzing instructions
Dealing with assembler directives
Building the binary instruction
Intermission: The Pre-TC1
The TC1 simulator program
Example of a TC1 assembly language program
Testing the assembler
TC1 postscript
TC1 postscript mark II
Summary
8
Chapter 7: Extending the TC1
Chapter 7: Extending the TC1
Technical requirements
Another look at python’s input and output
Input validation
Adding new instructions
A new comparison operation
Variable-length instructions
Summary
9
Chapter 8: Simulators for Other Architectures
Chapter 8: Simulators for Other Architectures
Technical requirements
TC0: A stack-based calculator
TC2: A one-address accumulator machine
TC3: A CISC machine with a register-to-memory architecture
The complete TC3 code
Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
A final example: TC4
Summary
10
Part 2: Using Raspberry Pi to Study a Real Computer Architecture
Part 2: Using Raspberry Pi to Study a Real Computer Architecture
11
Chapter 9: Raspberry Pi: An Introduction
Chapter 9: Raspberry Pi: An Introduction
Technical requirements
Raspberry Pi basics
Basics of the Raspberry Pi operating system
Features of the GCC ARM assembler
Dealing with 32-bit literals
Summary
12
Chapter 10: A Closer Look at the ARM
Chapter 10: A Closer Look at the ARM
Technical requirements
Introducing the ARM
Overview of the ARM’s architecture
Flow control instructions
Conditional executions
Summary
13
Chapter 11: ARM Addressing Modes
Chapter 11: ARM Addressing Modes
Literal addressing
Register indirect addressing
Program counter-relative addressing
Summary
14
Chapter 12: Subroutines and the Stack
Chapter 12: Subroutines and the Stack
The Branch with link instruction
A subroutine call and return
Block move instructions
Summary
15
Index
Index
Why subscribe?
16
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Appendices – Summary of Key Concepts
Appendices – Summary of Key Concepts
Using IDLE
Instructions and commands
Running an ARM program
Common confusions
Vocabulary

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

And now for something different. We have used an ALU in all the simulators. Here, you will learn about the ALU in greater detail and about its testing.

The following Python code demonstrates the implementation of an 8-bit, 16-function ALU. We have added several contemporary operations that some computers provide, such as modulus, minimum, and maximum. The alu function is called with the op, a, b, cIn, and display parameters. The op parameter is in the range 0 to 15 and defines the function. The a and b parameters are two 8-bit integers in the range 0 to 255, cin is a carry in, and display is a flag. When display is 0, no data is printed. When display is 1, the inputs and results are printed by the function. This feature is for debugging.

This code demonstrates the use of Python’s if...elif construct to decode the arithmetic operation. We have also included a dictionary structure that enables us to print out the operation code by name. In...

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