Linda Null

I suppose I have a very different viewpoint than most other reviewers of this textbook. I never took a computer architecture class as a student because my major and concentration did not require it. Therefore I never had to use this book as one of my primary sources of learning new concepts. I read the book because I teach an embedded systems course, and having a more robust understanding of computer architecture enables me to better teach the concepts in my class.

I skimmed over most of the chapters in this book, so I can't speak to how effectively it teaches the concepts of computer architecture, but the first few chapters (notably on the MARIE computer and on ISAs) helped to add to my understanding. I find that most textbooks either focus on one particular microcontroller architecture (in the case of embedded architecture) or focus too much on non-embedded hardware, and this book strikes a little bit of a balance in at least mentioning embedded applications quite a bit, especially in the early chapters when nothing is yet too specific or specialized. However, I must say that my "go to" book, as outdated as it is, will probably continue to be Malvino's Digital Computer Electronics, at least until I find something better!… (mer)