What is meant by computer architecture?

Computer architecture refers to the physical layout of parts and their connections within a computer system. This encompasses how different components such as the CPU, memory, storage, and input/output devices are organized and interconnected to effectively function together. It also includes considerations for the design and implementation of a computer's instruction set architecture, which defines how software interacts with the hardware.

This definition highlights the importance of both the physical hardware components and their arrangement, which influence the performance, capability, and efficiency of the overall computer system. Understanding computer architecture is fundamental for system design, as it directly impacts how data transfers between components, how processing is organized, and how the system manages resources.