What is Von Neumann architecture?
How does it work and why did it become the dominant computational model?
2 answers
Does not have much secret in it, it is not something complex, it is the basics of everything we do in any computational activity, and it was only formalized that this would be how the computer should operate. It defines that:
- there is a data entry
- a unit that processes this data
- and causes a data output
- the processor can temporarily store data in a memory where pure instructions and data remain
Input and output can count with various shapes. As can be seen in Wikipedia image:
I believe it became dominant because it was one of the first, it is simple and intuitive, makes a lot of sense and meets all problems well. Perhaps also because it does not define many details which would make it obsolete quickly.
Other architectures may opt for a slightly different organization, for example separate instruction and data memory, can handle input and output as something different, can do control treatment and calculations entirely separately.
Summarizing the subject the architecture is basically this:
In which is characterized by:
- input and output systems;
- main memory; and
- CPU (processing / processor);
The main memory functions as a cabinet in which it holds information, both already in the memory itself and new that arrives from the input and output systems. The CPU is in charge of working (doing calculations) with all this information, getting exchanging data with the main memory, and at the end if necessary show them in the output systems.
I think it is the most used because it is a simple system, very functional and well defined. If I'm not mistaken, other areas of computing work with slightly different architectures, but it is a great reference.