
Principles of Computer Hardware
Alan Clements(Author)
Oxford University Press
4th Edition
Published on 9. February 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
672 pages
978-0-19-927313-3 (ISBN)
Description
Computer technology pervades almost every aspect of our life: from the cars that we drive, to the mobile phones that we use to communicate; from the digital cameras that capture images of the world around us, to the laser printers that turn image into picture. Yet at the heart of these enabling technologies lie fundamental components and systems, without the understanding of which such technologies would never have been developed.
Principles of Computer Hardware explores the fundamentals of computer structure, architecture, and programming that underpin the array of computerized technologies around which our lives are now built.
The book opens with an introduction to the fundamental concepts upon which computers are constructed - gates, circuits, logic - and computer arithmetic, the 'language' through which computers communicate. It then reveals how computers are structured and how they operate, taking us step-wise from the instruction set architecture, the bringing together of instructions through assembly language programming, and on to the heart of the computer, the central processing unit. The book then builds on these foundations to consider how the hardware interfaces with its surroundings, introducing us to topics such as computer memory; operating systems and the interface between hardware and software; and computer peripherals and computer communications - the interface with the outside world.
Always putting educational value first, Principles of Computer Hardware uses the 68K processor as a powerful teaching and learning tool, putting substance firmly before style. With the clarity of explanation and captivating style for which Alan Clements is renowned, the book draws the student in to the heart of the subject, to foster an in-depth understanding from which more specialised study can then extend.
The learning experience is enriched still further with a free CD-ROM, providing resources to enable students to engage with the subject in a hands-on manner:
? A Windows-based simulator for the student to explore the design of digital circuits
? Windows and DOS-based 68K simulators for students to investigate the operation of the 68K processor
? An ARM simulator for students to write programs for a RISC processor, and run them on a PC
Online Resource Centre:
For lecturers (password protected):
? Figures from the book available to download, to facilitate lecture preparation
? Solutions to problems featured in the book, to aid formative learning
? Multiple choice question test bank, to facilitate assessment of students' learning
Principles of Computer Hardware explores the fundamentals of computer structure, architecture, and programming that underpin the array of computerized technologies around which our lives are now built.
The book opens with an introduction to the fundamental concepts upon which computers are constructed - gates, circuits, logic - and computer arithmetic, the 'language' through which computers communicate. It then reveals how computers are structured and how they operate, taking us step-wise from the instruction set architecture, the bringing together of instructions through assembly language programming, and on to the heart of the computer, the central processing unit. The book then builds on these foundations to consider how the hardware interfaces with its surroundings, introducing us to topics such as computer memory; operating systems and the interface between hardware and software; and computer peripherals and computer communications - the interface with the outside world.
Always putting educational value first, Principles of Computer Hardware uses the 68K processor as a powerful teaching and learning tool, putting substance firmly before style. With the clarity of explanation and captivating style for which Alan Clements is renowned, the book draws the student in to the heart of the subject, to foster an in-depth understanding from which more specialised study can then extend.
The learning experience is enriched still further with a free CD-ROM, providing resources to enable students to engage with the subject in a hands-on manner:
? A Windows-based simulator for the student to explore the design of digital circuits
? Windows and DOS-based 68K simulators for students to investigate the operation of the 68K processor
? An ARM simulator for students to write programs for a RISC processor, and run them on a PC
Online Resource Centre:
For lecturers (password protected):
? Figures from the book available to download, to facilitate lecture preparation
? Solutions to problems featured in the book, to aid formative learning
? Multiple choice question test bank, to facilitate assessment of students' learning
Reviews / Votes
The fourth edition of this classic textbook continues to encompass the range of topics that comprise a typical introductory university level course in computer hardware. As with the previous edition the author writes with great clarity, and conveys both his expertise and enthusiasm for the subject. This is a great choice for adoption in an introductory hardware course in computer science and related disciplines. * ITNow, 2006 *More details
Edition
4th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
First and second year undergraduates taking a first course in computer hardware. Also of interest as preparatory reading to advanced students studying computer architecture.
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
640 colour line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 265 mm
Width: 192 mm
Thickness: 40 mm
Weight
1579 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-927313-3 (9780199273133)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Alan Clements
The Principles of Computer Hardware
Book
01/2000
3rd Edition
Oxford University Press
€42.08
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Alan Clements is Motorola Professor in the School of Computing at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough. In 2002 he was awarded both a National Teaching Fellowship for his contribution to teaching and the IEEE Computer Society's 'Computer Science and Engineering Undergraduate Teaching Award'.
Content
1. Introduction to computer hardware ; 2. Gates, Circuits, and Combinational Logic ; 3. Sequential logic ; 4. Computer arithmetic ; 5. The Instruction Set Architecture ; 6. Assembly language programming ; 7. Structure of the CPU ; 8. Accelerating Performance ; 9. Processor Architectures ; 10. Buses and Input/Output Mechanisms ; 11. Peripherals for Computers ; 12. Computer memory ; 13. The CPU, memory and the operating system ; 14. Computer communications ; Appendices ; Bibliography ; Index