Computer Systems, Second Edition

As a programmer I'm really enjoying this book. It's an excellent book about computer architecture. I also teaches assembly language. If you are not already a programmer this is not the right book. This book uses C++ high level, and assumes you have some experience with a high level programming language (not necessarily C++)

I regularly teach CS1 and CS2, (as well as CSX)in the NYS SUNY system. We have a course between CS1 and CS2 (CS1.5?) This is a breadth course which also has a required programming component. I like the Warford text, as it provides a pretty good introduction to topics across the spectrum. I am not in love with the order, since I cover logic after data representation and the text has it at the end. Also, as with another review I saw, this text unfortunately does not use a real live assembly language. Since learning a pretend one is just as hard as learning a real one, I usually substitute a module on the intel-chip assembly language in place of the text coverage. All that said, this is the best book I could find. Most breadth- coverage texts are at level CS0, this one definitely is not.

This book serves as a nice introduction to computer architecture, though those wishing to learn assembly language that they can actually apply in real-world applications will be disappointed, as the assembly language that's taught applies only to the virtual computer that is used with the book. The virtual computer, called the Pep/6, aids the student in learning about different addressing modes, language translation, etc. The book covers many other topics including boolean logic, language translation principles, different base numbering systems, etc. The book moves at a comfortable pace, and, coupled with good teaching, can potentially teach the student a good deal.