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Code

The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software
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( 10,394 ratings, 863 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Code by Charles Petzold delves into the fundamental concepts that power our digital world. The book starts with simple, everyday systems and gradually builds up to the basics of computing, demystifying how computers work from the ground up. Petzold presents these ideas in an engaging manner, making complex topics accessible to both novices and enthusiasts in technology.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're fascinated by the inner workings of computers and the evolution of technology, this book offers an engaging journey into how complex systems are built from the simplest of concepts. It may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring the fundamental principles of computing in a clear and accessible manner, even without prior technical knowledge.

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The classic guide to how computers work, updated with new chapters and interactive graphics"For me, Code was a revelation. It was the first book about programming that spoke to me. It started with a story, and it built up, layer by layer, analogy by analogy, until I understood not just the Code, but the System. Code is a book that is as much abo...

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The classic guide to how computers work, updated with new chapters and interactive graphics.

Computers are everywhere, most obviously in our laptops and smartphones, but also in our cars, televisions, microwave ovens, alarm clocks, robot vacuum cleaners, and other smart appliances. Have you ever wondered what goes on inside these devices to make our lives easier but occasionally more infuriating?

For more than 20 years, readers have delighted in Charles Petzold's illuminating story of the secret inner life of computers, and now he has revised it for this new age of computing. Cleverly illustrated and easy to understand, Code is the book that cracks the mystery. You'll discover what flashlights, black cats, seesaws, and the ride of Paul Revere can teach you about computing, and how human ingenuity and our compulsion to communicate have shaped every electronic device we use.

This new expanded edition explores more deeply the bit-by-bit and gate-by-gate construction of the heart of every smart device, the central processing unit that combines the simplest of basic operations to perform the most complex of feats. Petzold's companion website, CodeHiddenLanguage.com, uses animated graphics of key circuits in the book to make computers even easier to comprehend.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Code by Charles Petzold is highly regarded for its ability to explain complex computing concepts in an accessible manner. Reviewers often praise the book for breaking down how computers work using everyday analogies, making it engaging for both novices and those with technical backgrounds. The book's clear and thorough explanations of digital technology provide readers with a foundational understanding of how computers and programming languages function.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780137909100

Publisher: Pearson Education (US)

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 August 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Addison Wesley

Edition: 2nd edition

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 680g

Pages: 480

About the Author

Charles Petzold is also the author of The Annotated Turing: A Guided Tour through Alan Turing's Historic Paper on Computability and the Turing Machine.

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