Home›Fields Of Computing›Fields›Computer ArchitectureFieldsComputer ArchitectureAlso Known As Computer OrganizationField of StudyCitation FormatsGeneral ReferenceGeneral Reference Citation TextComputing Atlas. "Computer Architecture." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://computing.interactiveatlas.org/fields/computer-architecture.Copy General ReferenceAPA StyleAPA Style Citation TextComputing Atlas. (n.d.). Computer Architecture. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://computing.interactiveatlas.org/fields/computer-architectureCopy APA StyleBibTeXBibTeX Citation Text@misc{computingatlas-computer-architecture, author = {Computing Atlas}, title = {Computer Architecture}, year = {2026}, url = {https://computing.interactiveatlas.org/fields/computer-architecture}, note = {Accessed August 30, 2026} }Copy BibTeXReference and ClassificationDevelopingComputer architecture is the field concerned with the conceptual design and operational structure of computer systems: how processors, memory and input and output are organized so programs execute efficiently. Its documented history runs from the correspondence between Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace describing the analytical engine to John von Neumann's 1945 First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC, the paper whose stored program organization nearly every later machine follows.FactsCross-Tradition ConnectionsIn the Other AtlasesSourcesComments (0)Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)FactsOrigin YearWell-attested1945 1Core ConcernWell-attestedHow the parts of a computer are organized and made to work together so that programs run correctly and fast. 1Cross-Tradition ConnectionsAssociated WithEmbedded Systems, Fields Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Embedded systemtier 1John von Neumann, Pioneers Well-attested His 1945 First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC described the organization of logical elements that later machines follow.Source Wikipedia: Computer Architecturetier 2John von Neumann, Pioneers Well-attested ConnectedJohn von Neumann's 1945 First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC described the stored-program architecture, with a single memory holding both instructions and data, that gives the von Neumann architecture its name and underlies most computer designs since.Source Computer: A History of the Information MachineMartin Campbell-Kelly and William Aspraytier 1IncludesAltair 8800, Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Altair 8800tier 2Analytical Engine, Systems Well-attested Assembly Language, Languages Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Assembly languagetier 2Atanasoff Berry Computer, Systems Well-attested CDC 6600, Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: CDC 6600tier 1Charles Babbage, Pioneers Well-attested Colossus, Systems Well-attested Cray-1, Systems Well-attested EDSAC, Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: EDSACtier 1Gordon Moore, Pioneers Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Gordon Mooretier 2Harvard Mark I, Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Harvard Mark Itier 1IBM System/360, Systems Well-attested John Vincent Atanasoff, Pioneers Well-attested Manchester Baby, Systems Well-attested Moore's Law, Concepts Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Moore's lawtier 2Semiconductor, Concepts Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Semiconductortier 2UNIVAC I, Systems Well-attested Von Neumann Architecture, Concepts Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Von Neumann architecturetier 1Zuse Z3, Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Z3 (computer)tier 1In the Other AtlasesAlso in Technology and Engineering Atlas: The Transistor, was influenced by this subject there.Sources1. Wikipedia: Computer Architecturetier 2Wikimedia FoundationOpening and History sectionsQuote, Opening and History sectionsa computer architecture is the conceptual design and operational structure of a computer system that define how component parts are organized and interact to execute programs efficiently.View the Source1. Wikipedia: Computer Architecturetier 2Wikimedia FoundationHistory sectionQuote, History sectionThe first documented computer architecture was in the correspondence between Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace, describing the analytical engine.View the Source1. Wikipedia: Computer Architecturetier 2Wikimedia FoundationHistoryQuote, HistoryJohn von Neumann's 1945 paper, First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC, which described an organization of logical elementsView the SourceWikipedia: Altair 8800tier 2Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Altair 8800View the SourceWikipedia: Assembly languagetier 2Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Assembly Language, IntroductionView the SourceComputer: A History of the Information Machinetier 1Martin Campbell-Kelly and William Aspray, Basic Books, 1996Associated With: John von NeumannWikipedia: Semiconductortier 2Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Semiconductor, Lead sectionView the SourceWikipedia: Moore's lawtier 2Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Moore's Law, History sectionView the SourceWikipedia: Gordon Mooretier 2Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Gordon Moore, Scientific career sectionView the SourceWikipedia: EDSACtier 1Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: EDSAC, Lead sectionView the SourceWikipedia: Z3 (computer)tier 1Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Zuse Z3, Lead sectionView the SourceWikipedia: Harvard Mark Itier 1Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Harvard Mark I, Lead sectionView the SourceWikipedia: CDC 6600tier 1Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: CDC 6600, Lead sectionView the SourceWikipedia: Embedded systemtier 1Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Embedded Systems, Lead sectionView the SourceWikipedia: Von Neumann architecturetier 1Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Von Neumann Architecture, Lead sectionView the SourceComments (0)No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.Sign in to join the discussion.Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.View At A Past YearThe atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.Show This Year