CHALLENGE
Non Von Neumann Computing
$1 MILLION (Prize amount to be confirmed. Announcement expected for next year)
The von Neumann architecture also known as the von Neumann model or Princeton architecture is a computer architecture that describes a design architecture for an electronic digital computer with these components:
• A processing unit that contains an arithmetic logic unit and processor registers;
• A control unit that contains an instruction register and program counter;
• Memory that stores data and instructions;
• External mass storage;
• Input and output mechanisms.
Non von Neumann architecture Any computer architecture in which the underlying model of computation is different from what has come to be called the standard von Neumann model decribed above.
A non von Neumann machine may thus be without the concept of sequential flow of control (i.e. without any register corresponding to a “program counter” that indicates the current point that has been reached in execution of a program) and/or without the concept of a variable (i.e. without “named” storage locations in which a value may be stored and subsequently referenced or changed).
