What defines computer architecture?

Computer architecture is fundamentally defined by the physical and logical layout of a computer's components. This encompasses how various parts such as the processor, memory, storage, and input/output devices interact with each other to perform computations and execute programs.

Understanding this layout is crucial because it affects performance, efficiency, and the capabilities of the system. The architecture includes the instruction set architecture (ISA), which defines how software communicates with the hardware, as well as the organization of the computer’s components, which determines how data flows between them.

Other options focus on aspects that, while important in the overall operation of a computer, do not define its architecture. Software applications represent the functionality that runs on computer hardware rather than the hardware itself. Network connectivity pertains to how a computer connects and communicates with other devices, rather than its internal structure. User interface design is concerned with how users interact with the system, which is contingent upon the architecture but does not describe it. Thus, the physical and logical arrangement of components is the critical aspect that delineates computer architecture.