Week 1
Introduction to machine and assembly instruction sets via the PDP-8,
a computer from the 1960s. Two's complement integers.
- Meeting the PDP-8/E
- Due on paper by 8:30AM Friday, September 14.
- Reading:
Introduction to Programming, PDP-8 Family Computers, Chapter 2.
- Read as needed for your assignments. We will work only with Chapter 2 of
this document, though some of the rest of it is pretty interesting reading from
a historical point of view. Note that Chapter 2 begins on page "01-36" of this pdf file.
- Reading: Patterson and Hennessy, Chapter 1
- Read by Monday, September 17.
Week 2
More PDP-8. An introduction to the MIPS instruction set.
- Multiplication on the PDP-8/E
- Due via HSP
by 11:59 PM Thursday, September 20.
- Reading: Patterson and Hennessy, Chapter 2
- Read by Monday, September 24. This chapter is long, so start early.
Week 3
More MIPS. Some information on how assemblers and compilers work. Discussion
of RISC vs. CISC.
- Recursion on the PDP-8/E
- Due via HSP
by 11:59 PM Monday, September 24.
- Clearing the PDP-8/E's memory
- Due via HSP
by 8:30 AM Wednesday, September 26.
- Reading: Patterson and Hennessy, Appendix B.1-9 (on the textbook's CD).
- Read by Monday, October 1.
Week 4
Digital logic.
- Some exercises
- Due on paper by 8:30AM Friday, October 5.
- Reading: Patterson and Hennessy, Chapter 3.
- Read by Monday, October 9.
Week 5
Takehome test, digital logic.
- The takehome exam
- Due on paper by 8:30AM Friday, October 12.
- Reading: Patterson and Hennessy, Chapter 4.
- Read by Wednesday, October 17.
Week 6
Midterm break, data represntation.
- Some exercises
- Due on paper by 8:30AM Wednesday, October 24.
Week 8
Datapath, control, and a takehome exam.
- Performance analysis exercises
- Due on paper by 8:30AM Friday, November 2.
- Takehome exam
- Due on paper by 8:30AM Wednesday, November 7.
Finals Weeks
- Takehome final exam
- Due 5:00PM Monday, November 19.