Understanding Digital Computers

by Forrest M. Mims III

Book by McWhorter, W. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0672225972
• ISBN13: 9780672225970
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Sams Technical Publishing
• Length: 317 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have ever wanted to understand how a computer works this is one of the best books you will ever get I promise you that. Forrest Mims is an amazing author, who was one of the early founders of modern electronics in the United States, in my opinion. He was involved on the first personal computer that was ever made the Altair something, which was where most all other computers came from. Bill Gates and Paul Allen wrote the software for the Altair and then started Microsoft shortly after that. This guy is truly amazing. He presents all the information so clearly and simply, like the way it should be. You should check out all his other articles, books, and kits he has worked on. In this book he not only tells you the basics of digital electronics, but he tells you almost step by step how to make a simple microprocessor from scratch. It is amazing. He tells you how each part of the microprocessor works, then creates his own assembly language for the computer, and then writes sample code. This is basically the entire explanation of the basics of the hardware and software of a computer. From reading this book, I believe with a little work you could build a microprocessor yourself. And it has been done, check out www.homebrewcpu.com for all the examples of build your own CPUs. You will see many of the builders credits this author and others. The other grat thing this book does is give references to other books that show how calculators are made and even more indepth information on more advanced microprocessors. Some of the references are just 15 pages or so of high density stuff. This book is amazing, one of the best books on electronics period. THe entire design of the microprocessor is done in less than 60 pages, and written in very simple english. Why this book is not a mandatory book in all engineering colleges is really beyond me. This simplifies everything and basically teaches you one of the most important inventions that has ever been made in human history in less than 200 pages in the most simple of english.

Still an excellent introduction to digital logic

Most computer books are significantly obsolete after two years and almost completely obsolete after five years. So much changes so quickly that the hot topic of today is one for the computer archeologist tomorrow. Digital logic is one area where the situation is very stagnant. Binary representation will not change and while the size and chemical composition of digital devices change, their basic function does not. This is the book that I used when I began my study of digital logic. It was extremely easy to learn from, which is why I can still recommend it today. Mims does a superb job of describing the fundamentals of digital logic at a level that the rawest of beginners can understand. It is one of those rare computer books that are still useful nearly three decades after it was published.

Computer book from different era

Dear fellow readers: This book was published many years ago, and for the computer enthusiast the information is a bit out of date. But don't fear, even though the content by today's standards is from Jurassic era, the basic design of computers remains unchanged. That is what this book tries to explain, and in my opinion it does a very good job. It begins by explaining the concept behind gates, and by the end of the text you have a full understanding how does a "very" simple computer works. It is my suggestion a person who is taking his/her few steps toward "understanding digital computes" should read this book. The concepts illustrated are too simple for those who are knowledgeable in this field, but can be helpful to a beginner. This does not mean that by reading this text you will know all that is to know, it merely opens a little gate in the mind that can help in understanding future texts. It is very sad that many books of this caliber are no longer produced, because every curious mind needs to overcome the first hurdle of a new subject.