Architecture is a fundamental principle in the design of computer systems, the term also applies to software. An open architecture means free access to device specifications.
The emergence of open architecture
The eighties of the last century were marked by the emergence of the fourth generation computers and the beginning of the era of personal computers. In 1981, the IBM PC was released, becoming the best-selling personal computer in history.
The reasons for the success of this model lie in the principle of open architecture, which was implemented for the first time. All computer projects were in the public domain. This allowed other manufacturers to start producing compatible components and peripherals.
All the design documentation for the IBM PC, including the electronic circuits, was published as a book, costing about $ 50, which was the first example of an open architecture.
Subsequently, the decision to publish the specifications negatively affected IBM, as IBM-compatible copies appeared at much lower prices. But the average user only benefited from this.
Open architecture principles
IBM's open architecture refers to a number of standards related to computer hardware and software. For example, addressing devices, the presence of BIOS and non-volatile memory for storing it, the organization of processor interrupts, and so on.
But the main principle is the unification of the constituent parts, the so-called block-modular structure. A personal computer consists of certain blocks, a set of them can be changed or supplemented by the user independently.
The first personal computers were shipped with a printed circuit board, a chipset, including a processor, connecting cables, and a floppy drive. The user had to not only build a computer, but also write software for it.
The blocks are installed in the motherboard connectors, which, through the system bus, ensure their interaction with each other and the central processor.
The open architecture allows you to build a computer from scratch, choosing the necessary processor, RAM, hard disk and a set of expansion cards for specific tasks. Thus, without having knowledge of circuitry, you can get any device - from a personal web server to a multimedia center.
In addition, open architecture has had a positive impact on the computer components market, causing high competition in this area. As a result, the products have become more diversified, and the prices for them are lower. It is enough to compare the cost of an IBM-compatible computer with a closed analogue, for example, Apple.
