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“Build Your Own Computer -From Scratch” Book by Richard (Dick) Whipple |
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Beginners to computers usually take
the “magic box” approach. Ignoring the computer’s inner workings, they
start by learning a high-level language that gives them access to the
computer's basic capabilities. As more experience is gained, performance
issues or the need to manipulate hardware calls more fully for greater
insight into the computer's hardware and software capabilities. Or
perhaps they just grow curious and want to know how computers work. In
any case, Build Your Own Computer (BYOC) – From Scratch describes how a
computer works from the inside out. It begins with first principles
(AND, OR, and NOT logic) and carries out a basic computer design that is
first simulated and tested then installed in a Field Programmable Gate Array
(FPGA) to make a working computer. A knowledge of computer science or
electronics is not needed to follow along. Each step relies on supplied
information and simple reasoning. Though organized by chapters, this book can
be further divided into three sections. Chapters 1 to 4 provide theory
based on AND, OR, and NOT logic followed by development of the devices needed
to build a computer. Chapters 5 to 10 describe and test the simulated
version of the BYOC computer design. The remaining chapters, 11 and 12,
cover the actual hardware implementation of the computer design in a Field
Programmable Gate Array. A companion website provides access to all design
resources so that the BYOC can be simulated with Logisim and implemented on
an Intel Cyclone V FPGA. Whether a computer professional or simply a computer
user, knowing how a computer works allows you to take full advantage of its
capabilities expanding the range of possible hardware and software solutions. Order from Amazon by clicking here or using this ASIN: 1071252291 number. |
