But How Do It Know?
Plain-language walk through building a simple CPU from gates
Ranked 8 of 8 in best computer architecture books
The most accessible book here for readers with no background, building a simple CPU from gates in plain language. It is light on modern topics and self-published, so it ranks last despite its clarity.
Best for General readers new to computer hardware
About But How Do It Know?
The book explains the basic principles of computers in plain language. It begins with logic gates and shows how simple circuits combine into a central processing unit that runs instructions from memory. The aim is to make the basic mechanism clear rather than to cover the details of any modern machine.
The book suits general readers and students who have never studied computer hardware, and it is one of the most accessible books here. It is self-published rather than issued by a large publisher, and it is light on modern topics such as multicore processors. Readers who want more depth should move on to Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition or the other textbooks on this list.
Key features
- Logic gates to a simple CPU
- Plain-language explanations
- Print book for general readers
Strengths
- Very accessible for readers with no background
- Builds a simple CPU from logic gates
Limits
- Light on modern topics such as multicore processors
- Self-published, so it lacks a large publisher's imprint
Where But How Do It Know? ranks
Alternatives to But How Do It Know?
All 7 alternatives- Computer Organization and Design RISC-V EditionTextbook on how hardware and software meet, using RISC-V
- Computer Architecture: A Quantitative ApproachAdvanced text on processor, memory and parallel design
- CodeNarrative introduction from simple circuits up to a processor
- Computer Systems: A Programmer's PerspectiveTextbook on how hardware and systems software shape programs
- The Elements of Computing SystemsBuild a working computer from logic gates up in projects
- Digital Design and Computer ArchitectureTextbook from logic gates and HDL to a microprocessor
Questions about But How Do It Know?
- Is But How Do It Know? free?
- But How Do It Know? is a paid product (paid). Sold as a print book; price varies by seller.
- Which formats is But How Do It Know? available in?
- But How Do It Know? is offered as Print.
- What is But How Do It Know? best for?
- General readers new to computer hardware. In our ranking of computer architecture books it is number 8 of 8 with a score of 77.0.
- What are the best alternatives to But How Do It Know??
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition, Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, Code, Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective.
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