Connecting the Dots: Computer Systems Education using a Functional Hardware Description Language

TL;DR

This paper advocates using a functional hardware description language to teach computer systems, making digital design more interactive and comprehensible by simulating circuits and illustrating abstraction levels.

Contribution

It introduces a teaching approach that leverages functional programming for hardware description, enhancing understanding and engagement in computer systems education.

Findings

Students gain a practical understanding of hardware design.

Simulation-based learning improves engagement and comprehension.

Over 20 years of teaching experience support the approach's effectiveness.

Abstract

A functional hardware description language enables students to gain a working understanding of computer systems, and to see how the levels of abstraction fit together. By simulating circuits, digital design becomes a living topic, like programming, and not just a set of inert facts to memorise. Experiences gained from more than 20 years of teaching computer systems via functional programming are discussed.