Someone mentioned a book about computation machinery. I thought it was in this discussion, but I couldn’t find it here and it’s near impossible to google here.
The person who mentioned it said that it explains the history of building computers and gives you a very deep understanding of how they implement computation, and its interface with the software inputs.
This is something I really wish I understood better, so if anyone knows a book like this, please let me know what it is. Or, if you know of any good resource on this topic, please post it.
If you want to study computer architecture in general, the standard (and very good) textbook is Computer Architecture by Hennessy & Patterson. It’s very readable, well organized, and not too thick. Another good textbook that covers a somewhat broader range of topics at a more elementary level is Computer Organization by Hamacher et al.; also check out Tanenbaum’s Structured Computer Organization.
If you’re interested in more lower-level details about digital logic and circuits, try Fundamentals of Digital Logic by Vranesic & Brown (the book conveniently exists in two different editions, with examples and problem sets given in VHDL and Verilog, respectively). Regarding the hardware-software interface, you’ll learn a lot from the mentioned architecture texts, but for more higher-level details, you’ll need an operating systems book; unfortunately I’m not familiar enough with those to make recommendations.
None of these books are particularly heavy on history, but they should enable you to place the modern technologies in their historical context. If I remember correctly, Tanenbaum’s book talks about history the most.
Someone mentioned a book about computation machinery. I thought it was in this discussion, but I couldn’t find it here and it’s near impossible to google here.
The person who mentioned it said that it explains the history of building computers and gives you a very deep understanding of how they implement computation, and its interface with the software inputs.
This is something I really wish I understood better, so if anyone knows a book like this, please let me know what it is. Or, if you know of any good resource on this topic, please post it.
If you want to study computer architecture in general, the standard (and very good) textbook is Computer Architecture by Hennessy & Patterson. It’s very readable, well organized, and not too thick. Another good textbook that covers a somewhat broader range of topics at a more elementary level is Computer Organization by Hamacher et al.; also check out Tanenbaum’s Structured Computer Organization.
If you’re interested in more lower-level details about digital logic and circuits, try Fundamentals of Digital Logic by Vranesic & Brown (the book conveniently exists in two different editions, with examples and problem sets given in VHDL and Verilog, respectively). Regarding the hardware-software interface, you’ll learn a lot from the mentioned architecture texts, but for more higher-level details, you’ll need an operating systems book; unfortunately I’m not familiar enough with those to make recommendations.
None of these books are particularly heavy on history, but they should enable you to place the modern technologies in their historical context. If I remember correctly, Tanenbaum’s book talks about history the most.
Thanks! That helps a lot!
This has been on my to read list for a while. Not sure if it is what you are looking for exactly though.
That looks interesting, and the related books seem worthwhile as well. Thanks!