Introduction to Microprocessors

Rating:
Summary: Great Introduction to microprocessors
Review: I bought this book to prepare for a college course on computer and system architecture. This book was a great into to the material and excellent preparation for the course.

Rating:
Summary: Great Introduction to microprocessors
Review: I bought this book to prepare for a college course on computer and system architecture. This book was a great into to the material and excellent preparation for the course.

Rating:
Summary: Step into the microprocessor with an unparalleled tour guide
Review: John Crisp's "Introduction to Microprocessors" (ITM) is an excellent book. It has a low average score because the author posted the first review with zero stars, which could be the result of an Amazon.com error. I loved this book. It gets right to the heart of the matter regarding the operations of microprocessors. Anyone who wants to really know what happens inside their CPU will love ITM too.

Crisp speaks in a simple matter but conveys all of the important details I craved. What exactly is an 8-bit microprocessor? It's an integrated circuit with data registers each capable of holding 8-bit values. "8-bit" doesn't mean the size of the data bus or the address bus. The Pentium family is "32-bit" because it has 32-bit registers. (The Pentium does have a 64 bit data bus.)

To explain microprocessors, Crisp uses the Zilog Z80 as a reference model. I happen to have my first two computers, both 8-bit machines, in my basement: a C64C with a MOS 8510 and a Timex-Sinclair with Z80 and Z81 chips. Crisp shows how the microprocessor executes instructions, why assembly helps humans write better programs, and what 8-bit memory maps look like. ITM is written from the perspective of changes in voltage levels, translating into 0 and 1 values, that mean something to the microcode in the CPU. Readers who desire a fundamental understanding of computers will appreciate Crisp's ability to explain these concepts in a clear and enjoyable manner.

The only drawback to this book is its 1998 publication date. A lot has happened since the days of the 300 MHz Pentium II, and the most advanced Pentium features Crisp mentions is the MMX extensions to the original Pentium. I noticed a second edition was just published this month, so I hope to read and review that book soon.

ITM is the perfect introduction for any serious computing student. At a little over 200 pages, the book can be read in a few sittings. It will prepare readers for more advanced material, or serve as a foundation for learning assembly language. ITM is a nice companion to the CPU-related material in hardware books like Scott Mueller's "Upgrading and Repairing PCs."

Rating:
Summary: Step into the microprocessor with an unparalleled tour guide
Review: John Crisp's "Introduction to Microprocessors" (ITM) is an excellent book. It has a low average score because the author posted the first review with zero stars, which could be the result of an Amazon.com error. I loved this book. It gets right to the heart of the matter regarding the operations of microprocessors. Anyone who wants to really know what happens inside their CPU will love ITM too.

Crisp speaks in a simple matter but conveys all of the important details I craved. What exactly is an 8-bit microprocessor? It's an integrated circuit with data registers each capable of holding 8-bit values. "8-bit" doesn't mean the size of the data bus or the address bus. The Pentium family is "32-bit" because it has 32-bit registers. (The Pentium does have a 64 bit data bus.)

To explain microprocessors, Crisp uses the Zilog Z80 as a reference model. I happen to have my first two computers, both 8-bit machines, in my basement: a C64C with a MOS 8510 and a Timex-Sinclair with Z80 and Z81 chips. Crisp shows how the microprocessor executes instructions, why assembly helps humans write better programs, and what 8-bit memory maps look like. ITM is written from the perspective of changes in voltage levels, translating into 0 and 1 values, that mean something to the microcode in the CPU. Readers who desire a fundamental understanding of computers will appreciate Crisp's ability to explain these concepts in a clear and enjoyable manner.

The only drawback to this book is its 1998 publication date. A lot has happened since the days of the 300 MHz Pentium II, and the most advanced Pentium features Crisp mentions is the MMX extensions to the original Pentium. I noticed a second edition was just published this month, so I hope to read and review that book soon.

ITM is the perfect introduction for any serious computing student. At a little over 200 pages, the book can be read in a few sittings. It will prepare readers for more advanced material, or serve as a foundation for learning assembly language. ITM is a nice companion to the CPU-related material in hardware books like Scott Mueller's "Upgrading and Repairing PCs."