Note to Readers...
Before reading discussions below, the readers must have a sufficient background in Logic Circuit Fundamentals.

Introduction:

If were given a chance to tell you the difference between the early 1980s in comparison today... all I can probably say is that the use of computer technology is so rampant.  Name any device, appliances, vehicles, toys, they're everywhere.  The use of this devices made every design digitally conceivable. 

If I were a new comer in the design industry, finding the roots on how this devices operates can take a whole lot of time.  A whole lot of time figuring out how those devices operates.

The Jig-Saw Idea

Let me try to give you an analogy.  If I were to give two students a jig-saw puzzle which is actually the same. And ask them to put the pieces back together, but here is the plot...  Student X can take a look at the whole picture first before reconstructing the puzzle, while student Y will not have any chance of looking at the picture.  Unfair?  You said it.

So what's the point?   Well student X will finish first, and student Y will be the last one.

What if the pieces is really small, Student Y will spend probably a couple of days, a month, or will just give up.

The study on microprocessors can be related to a jig-saw puzzle which contains too many pieces needed to be interconnected to actually get the whole picture.   But if given a chance to see the clear view of the whole process, it can shorten the learning process.  And that is precisely the same approach I will be using in the discussion.

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