Making the hardware-software connection with PLP

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a novel platform for Computer Science and Engineering education that helps students to connect software concepts with the underlying hardware. Students often learn about programming languages, computer architecture, assembly languages and compilers in isolation, and fail to see the connections between the hardware and the software. The Progressive Learning Platform (PLP) was designed for students to anchor their conceptual learning about microprocessors and computer architecture, and for them to see the connections between assembly language and trade-offs in architecture. The long-term vision for PLP is to be a free and scalable platform for face-to-face and online education in computing worldwide.