Learn what goes on "under the hood" of a computer. All high-level languages are ultimately translated into machine instructions that control a computer's hardware. Introduction to Computer Organization: ARM Edition reveals exactly how that hardware works "under the hood." Written for anyone familiar with basic programming concepts, the reader is taken through the machine's architecture from the bottom up and the software on down--with a special focus on the ARM instruction set commonly found in smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Beginning with an exploration of modern computing's mathematical foundations--including the binary system and Boolean algebra--the book introduces hardware components such as circuits, CPU, and memory. Later chapters discuss how software controls hardware, providing an in-depth look at the basic programming constructs in low-level languages like C and C++. Finally, readers are shown how the computer's compiler translates code into assembly language that can directly access the instruction set architecture.
See How the Magic Happens Built with ARM A64 Assembly Language The ARM edition of Introduction to Computer Organization will show you how high-level code connects to computer hardware through ARM 64-bit assembly language. You'll learn ARM assembly language from the ground up, and all you'll need is some basic experience with programming. As you grow to understand ARM's 64-bit design (from first principles), you'll develop the skills to write more efficient, optimized code. Learn the fundamentals:
Data storage formats and computer encoding Binary and hexadecimal arithmetic operations Boolean algebra and logic gates Digital circuit design
Explore how software and hardware interact:
Memory hierarchy, from CPU registers to the cloud CPU architecture and instruction execution ARM 64-bit assembly language programming
Get hands-on experience programming the GPIO on Raspberry Pi 3, 4, and 5 in assembly. Use GNU programming tools to examine code generated from C and C++ by the compiler, write assembly programs from scratch, and use the debugger to visualize execution, inspect registers, and understand machine-level operations. Each chapter includes practical "Your Turn" exercises to reinforce key concepts and build real-world programming skills. Whether you're optimizing code performance, developing embedded systems, or simply curious about how computers execute your programs, this guide provides deep insight into how