How Computers Work: Demystifying Computation (edX)

You'll explore system architecture, along with how computers use binary and logic. Once you’ve examined the von Neumann model of computer architecture and the Fetch-Execute cycle, you'll learn to build a range of simple circuits for maths, and then simulate various logic gates.
Ultimately you’ll complete the course with an understanding of the processes that underpin every modern computer – from supercomputers to smartphones, and everything in between.

What you'll learn
Over the following four weeks, you will:

• Explain how transistors can act as digital switches and be combined to create logic gates
• Produce truth tables for AND, NOT and OR gates, individually or combined
• Explain how computers use binary arithmetic
• Describe how logic gates can be combined to produce digital circuits that can perform a calculation
• Describe Von Neuman Architecture and the Fetch-Execute cycle

Syllabus

This course will cover:

• How computers use binary arithmetic
• How transistors can act as digital switches and be combined to create logic gates
• Creating truth tables for AND, NOT and OR gates, individually or combined
• How logic gates can be combined to produce digital circuits that can perform a calculation
• Von Neuman Architecture and the Fetch-Execute cycle