Computer Architecture:
The Complete Master Guide

A structured roadmap to understanding the engineering behind modern computing systems.

Welcome to the Embedded Tech Learn curriculum on Computer Architecture. This page serves as a centralized "Tree" or roadmap. Whether you are a student preparing for exams or an engineer refreshing your fundamentals, follow this path to master how computers are designed, organized, and optimized.

The Knowledge Tree

Module 1: Foundations & Definitions

Start here to understand the "What" and "Why" of system design.

1.1 What is Computer Architecture? A Foundational Guide 1.2 Hardware, Software, and Firmware: The Layers of Computing 1.3 Understanding the Basic Building Blocks of a Computer

Module 2: The Processing Core

Deep dive into the silicon brain and the logic models it uses.

2.1 What is a CPU? Architecture & Operation (CU, ALU, Registers) 2.2 Von Neumann vs Harvard Architecture: Comparing System Models

Module 3: Memory Subsystems & Optimization

Learn how data is stored and the protocols that keep multi-core systems consistent.

3.1 The Memory Hierarchy: Latency Tiers and Locality 3.2 Computer Memory Systems: RAM, ROM, and Cache Explained 3.3 CPU Caching & The Memory Wall: Mastering Write Policies 3.4 Cache Coherence: MESI Protocol and Multi-Core Orchestration

How to use this guide

Computer Architecture is best learned in layers. Each article in this "tree" builds upon the previous one.

Beginners: Start with Section 1.1 and work your way down sequentially.
Engineers: Jump to Module 3 for advanced topics on Cache policies and Coherence protocols.
Students: Review the Von Neumann vs Harvard post and the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle in the CPU post, as these are high-frequency exam topics.

The Lab is Always Open

New technical deep-dives are added regularly. Bookmark this page as your central hub for mastering the internals of the machines that power our world.