In this series we’ll be looking at computers and how they are structured. How do we get from transistors to Google Chrome, anyway? We’ll also spend time each video investigating what’s important to engineers and technicians when designing computers.

In this video we are going to look at the foundational structure of computers, which is a bit like a layered cake. We’ll dive into each of the layers in further videos, but for now we will start with the overall picture. We’ll also touch on why we would design a computer this way from an engineering point of view.

In this video we are going to step back from the detailed structure of computers and look at the different types of computers and well as their popularity. We’ll dive into everything from supercomputers to the computers in your washing machine, the similarities and the differences. We’ll also look at computers with an engineering eye, considering the balance between size, speed and cost to manufacture and maintenance.

In this video we are going continue with our overall view of computers by looking through the lens of the job market. From hardware engineers to software developers and management, each job plays a role in designing and maintaining computer systems. We’ll also look at the engineering considerations that play a part in the delineation of work.

In this shorter video we are going to start on our detailed look at each of the layers in a computer, starting with the Applications layer. This is where most users and computer industry people will spend most of their time, because it’s where all the work is done. We’ll take a look at some examples of applications, as well as a special example that we can follow through all the layers. We’ll also look at the engineering considerations in this layer such as speed, memory size and familiarity to the user.

In this video we are going to continue on our detailed look at each of the layers in a computer, this time with the Programming Language layer. This is where super users and developers will create software and programs. We’ll take a look at some examples of programming languages, as well as continue with our calculator example. We’ll also look at the engineering considerations in this layer such as speed, memory size and familiarity to the user.

In this short video we are going to continue on our detailed look at each of the layers in a computer, this time with the Assembly Language layer. This is the intermediate step between machine code and programming languages. We’ll take a look at an example of assembly language, as well as continue on with our calculator example. We’ll also look at the engineering considerations in this layer such as abstraction and standardisation.

In this short video we are going to continue on our detailed look at each of the layers in a computer, this time with the Machine Code layer. This is the string of 1’s and 0’s that the computer reads directly. We’ll take a look at an example of machine code, as well as continue on with our calculator example. We’ll also look at the engineering consideration in this layer; abstraction.

In this video we are going to look at the interface between the software and the hardware in the layer called the Instruction Set Architecture. The ISA is used to define a standard set of hardware, so we can run programs on many types of machines. It defines registers, memory use and instructions available. We’ll touch on our calculator example, and look at the engineering considerations in this layer such as standardisation.

In this video we are going to look at microarchitecture, which is how all the components in the processor are laid out. We’ll come back to our calculator example and see how what we have designed runs through the processor, and we’ll see all the engineering considerations in action, such as performance, cost, complexity and more.

In this video we are going to look at gates and registers, which are the building blocks of the components in the processor. We’ll see how to use these to build registers and the logic centre of the processor, and how our calculator example flows through them. And finally we’ll see all the engineering considerations in action, such as performance, cost, complexity and manufacturability.

In this video we are going to look at transistors, which are the building blocks of all the logic gates in the processor. We’ll see how to use these to build the AND and OR gates, and how they work inside. And finally we’ll take a final look at a key engineering consideration; manufacturability.

We’ve dug through many layers in this video series. In fact, it’s hard to remember where we came from, so let’s recap.