Introduction
I believe that success greatly correlates to two things, how you see the world and how much you truly understand it. We can say the same about software engineering; where computer architecture is the very essence of software engineering, if you understand it well enough, software engineering will be a piece of cake.
What is Computer Architecture?
According to Wikipedia:
Computer architecture is a set of rules and methods that describe the functionality, organization, and implementation of computer systems.
Some definitions of architecture define it as describing the capabilities and programming model of a computer but not a particular implementation.
In a nutshell, CA is basically the set of rules that control how hardware and software interact together.
Why Study Computer Architecture?
Computer Architecture can help you more than you think.
For example, most F1 drivers know a lot about their car's engine, to the point they can determine any problem with their engine, even before their engineers can!
They also know about Physics and Aerodynamics, hence this helps them give precise instructions to their mechanics in the Pitstop, like adjusting the nose or the wheels leading them to win more races.
Well, what does all this have to do with CA? It’s the same concept! When you understand and know more about the cornerstone of Software Engineering, you know how to handle problems and achieve what you need, more efficiently.
Why you should learn Computer Architecture:
- You will likely use it for the rest of your life.
- Computer Architecture is one of the most fundamental subjects in Computer Science. As without computers, the field of Computer Science would not exist.
- You need to understand how the instructions and operations actually work and interact together, to make your software better; because whatever you do, no matter what, it is on top of CA.
- Computer Architecture will help you design, develop, and implement applications that are better, faster, cheaper, more efficient, and easier to use because you will be able to make informed decisions instead of guessing estimating and assuming.
Example On How Computer Architecture Can Affect The Way You Code:
Branch Prediction: Let's say you are on a train, your job is to observe the way and you are at a railway junction:
You have to choose a side and you don't know which side to go on; so you either choose the right path or the wrong path, if you do choose the right path you will keep going, if you choose the wrong path however, you will go back and choose the other path. So if you keep choosing the right path you won't have to go back again and if you choose the wrong path you will keep having to go back and forth,
makes sense?
Consider an if-statement: At the processor level, it is a branch instruction:
Now you are a processor and you see a branch, you have no idea which path to go, so you will have to enter.
- If you guess right the execution will never have to stop.
- If you guess wrong, you spend more time going back and restarting the execution.
So how do we make the better choice each time?
We observe. If the process, usually takes left then we guess left. If it takes right most of the time, we guess right. If it alternates, then we alternate our choice as well
This is, more or less, how Branch Prediction works.
Conclusion
Learn Computer Architecture, become a better software engineer.
Special thanks to the reviewer, Rawan Attia.
Top comments (40)
That kind of dogmatic behavior is what is wrong with the tech industry and humanity as a whole.
Seriously, try expanding your mindset.
Spot on, yes this is a fine example of some narrow minded elitist thinking, probably with the idea to keep "outsiders" out of "our" industry, and to protect the privileges of the 'incumbents' lol. Yes let's raise the barriers by subjecting all newcomers to some arbitrary and useless algorithm tests, artificial gatekeeping with a nice hidden agenda if you ask me, terrible idea if I ever heard one.
"Every developer", how do we even define that? An accountant writing Excel macros is also writing code, hence is a coder or 'developer'! This idea is only feasible and remotely realistic if you apply it to specific well-defined segments of the industry, like SCADA programmers building mission critical stuff, industrial control applications, and that's an example where it would have added value.
P.S. "putting a stake in the heart of Ruby and Python", that's just toxic, and painful/denigrating for people who love these tools and get stuff done with it ... I'd say spare us your negativity and your elitist mindset, and don't pollute dev.to with it!
Total nonsense, you're trying to provide a solution in search of a problem. Does your idea guarantee that the industry will attract the best and most talented people? i don't think so, it just reeks of artificial gatekeeping. Fortunately the principles of free market economy won't ever let this happen.
Hello Voider,
thanks for your article.
I agree with your conclusion that learning computer architecture will help you become a better software engineer :)!
And a question comes to my mind, "How do you train to become a Computer Architect?".
Hello Akin,
I recommend reading computer organization and design by David A. Patterson and John L., that's where I knew about CA during my last semester, but I also recommend learning the basics of assembly so that you can 'link' the concepts you will know about from the book from a closer level of abstraction.
I wish we could not assume questions like this, i see it everywhere, not exact question but such computer questions, definately its a "newbe" asking but if they took time to read ur article, please answer them to ur best.....you dont know how much you do to that person
Thank u
Trust me, software and tech industry improved a lot only because we didn't have any stupid form of gatekeeping like this.
The hacker mindset and permissionless nature of code is the fundamental of the innovation.
You just described most of humanity. Do you think that taking a hardline point of view will change everyone?
And who's going to decide what will be in that test? And you're seriously thinking that you can come up with one standard test that makes sense for people doing vastly different work, all of which we conveniently lump together under "software engineering" or "development" or whatever you want to call it? The industry is just too broad, this could work for specific segments but in no way indiscriminately across the board.
Okay, nice try with the accountant writing Excel macros already being licensed - how about a junior intern writing those Excel macros? ... not licensed in anyway, but he/she does write code.
So my argument remains - how do you define which devs or coders or whatever are required to get that official license, and which don't ... software development is just way too broad an activity and an industry to be regulated centrally, it's going to cause a ridiculous amount of cost, hassle and bureaucracy with hardly any tangible benefits.
The only thing I can imagine is that you could require this for very narrowly defined areas of expertise within the software development industry, for instance SCADA programmers working on mission critical systems, like I said before. In no way is it practically possible to require this across the board, it isn't even possible to clearly define who is a developer or software engineer and who isn't (too many grey areas and edge cases).
Okay, now you're talking:
"anybody performing development work, including training AI modules, that has a material impact on financial statements or other regulated areas of operations"
So, that does not sound like a blanket across-the-board entry exam or license for every developer (if 'developer' can even be clearly defined) - it sounds like specific requirements or certifications for specific industries or roles, so for situations where it matters.
That's different from what you said before, and now we're getting pretty close to agreeing on this, because under those circumstances I could see the merits of licensing or certifications. But, we're then talking about a much more narrowly defined segment of "hard core devs working on mission critical stuff".
Exactly, this is not the government's responsibility, and forcing "every" developer (regardless of what he/she actually does) to take an standard exam sounds like the worst idea ever. So who all would be included, also the person in the accounting office writing Excel macros? He/she is also undeniably a "coder".
Not really, because comparing SolarWinds to a mom & pop shop doing WordPress sites would clearly be comparing apples and oranges, yes? Both are doing "software development", however one is arguably a little bit more mission critical than the other. But both should undergo the same sort of licensing and certification? I think that's a total waste of time and resources, instead require this where it makes sense, not across the board.
Have a new user handle for you:
The Not-So-Sharp, Close Minded Ninja.
And no, I won't reconsider my position.
The whole idea is nuts but once someone is obsessed with their own "brilliant" idea then it's generally extremely hard to convince them they're wrong, I'm absolutely about to give up and say "yes fine, whatever".