von neumann vs harvard architecture

Question

Why computer architecture based on von Neumann architecture is preferred over Harvard architecture, when designing personal computers; while Harvard architecture is used for des

Answer 1

The fundamental difference between Von Neumann architecture and Harvard architecture is that while in the Harvard architecture, instruction memory is distinct from data memory, in Von Neumann they are the same. This reflects the practical reality of PCs (in which programs are stored and read from the same medium as data, usually disk and RAM), and microcontrollers (in which the program is stored in non-volatile memory, and data is stored in volatile memory).