The Impact of Microcomputers in Computer Science

Abstract

This paper considers the emerging role of the microcomputer laboratory in a computer science department The components for a particular laboratory are suggested. These include the microcomputers themselves, supporting peripheral hardware and the development system with its supporting software packages. It is suggested that such a microcomputer laboratory will come to play as important a role in computer science departments as the mini-computer laboratory now plays. An introductory computing systems course which has been developed in conjunction with such a microcomputer laboratory is described in some detail. The course is based on the premise that since microcomputers are quite inexpensive, they can be made rather freely available to students. Starting with a naked piece of hardware, the students develop their own computing systems ( including loaders, text editors and assemblers) in a hands-on environment The microcomputers are both a pedagogical tool and an object of study. Other computer science courses which might also use such a laboratory are suggested. Finally such a laboratory can rather naturally support research in a computer science department As an example of this, a particular multimicroprocessor configuration currently being studied is described. Some results and future directions of this research are noted.