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.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
1
Part 1: Using Python to Simulate a Computer
Free Chapter
2
Chapter 1: From Finite State Machines to Computers
10
Part 2: Using Raspberry Pi to Study a Real Computer Architecture

A final example: TC4

In this example, we provide a new simulator that introduces you to some new elements of Python, such as the ability to include the date and time. This final example of a computer simulator brings some of the things we have discussed together and creates a simulator with a 32-bit instruction memory and a 16-bit data memory. Consequently, this is not a von Neumann machine because it has different program and data memories. TC4 incorporates several modifications to demonstrate both simplifications and additions.

We’ll present the code first and then add some comments via the labels that indicate points of interest. Shaded parts of the code have comments following the code:

import re                          # Library for regular expressions for removing spaces  (See 1)
from random import  *  &...