Summary

Building upon the preceding chapters, this chapter introduced computer architecture features addressing domain-specific functional requirements. We focused on extensions commonly implemented at the processor instruction set level and in components external to the processor that provide additional system capabilities beyond generic computing requirements.

You should now have a good understanding of privileged processor modes and how they are used in multiprocessing and multiuser contexts, the concepts of floating-point processors and instruction sets, techniques for power management in battery-powered devices, and the processor and system features intended to enhance computer system security.

This background prepares us for the next chapter, where we will examine the most popular processor architectures and instruction sets currently used in personal computing, business computing, and smart portable devices. These architectures are the x86, the x64, and the 32-bit and...