“Code” 2nd Edition (charlespetzold.com)

Article summary

The 2nd edition of Charles Petzold's book 'Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software' will be published on August 19, 2022. The new edition is about 70 pages longer than the first edition and includes a deeper explanation of CPU workings using the Intel 8080 as an example. A companion website, CodeHiddenLanguage.com, is also being built to provide interactive graphical illustrations of key circuits. The book aims to provide a steady progression from simple concepts to a deep understanding of digital computers.

Main themes

• computer science education
• low-level programming concepts
• book reviews and recommendations
• computer hardware and software
• technical writing and pedagogy
• university education vs self-study

What commenters say

• The book is highly regarded for its ability to explain complex computer concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Some readers found the book to be more valuable than their university education in computer science.
• Others argue that the book is a solid popularization of computer concepts, but does not cover the depth and breadth of a computer engineering degree.
• The book's approach to explaining computer concepts from the ground up is seen as a major strength by many readers.
• A few commenters noted that their university education in computer science did not provide the same level of understanding of low-level computer concepts as the book.
• Some readers appreciated the book's ability to provide a map of the territory and an understanding of how everything fits together, which helped them to better understand and master specific areas of computer science.
• The book is considered accessible to readers without a technical background, with some commenters recommending it as a great introduction to computer concepts for non-experts.
• There is some disagreement about whether the book covers truly low-level concepts or rather provides a high-level overview of computer science topics.