Computer organization refers to the physical and operational aspects of a computer system-how its hardware components are interconnected and work together to implement the specifications defined by computer architecture. It involves the detailed design and arrangement of functional units such as the CPU, memory, input/output devices, control signals, and buses that enable the computer to execute instructions and process data efficiently
. To clarify the distinction:
- Computer architecture is the high-level design and structure of a computer system, including the instruction set architecture (ISA), data formats, memory addressing, and overall system functionality. It defines what the system does and how it appears to a programmer or user
- Computer organization is the realization of that architecture in physical hardware. It focuses on how the components are implemented and connected to achieve the desired operations, including control signals, hardware details, and the internal data paths
An analogy is that computer architecture is like the blueprint or design of a car, specifying its features and capabilities, while computer organization is the actual assembly and arrangement of the car’s parts to build the functioning vehicle
. In summary, computer organization is the study and design of the internal operational units and hardware components of a computer system and how they are linked to fulfill the requirements set by the computer architecture. It is essential for understanding how computers execute instructions and manage data at the hardware level
