Includes bibliographical references (pages 539-544), glossary, and index.

Part one. Foundations ; Basic data representation -- Logic design -- Basic components -- Part two. Computer architecture ; Simple calculations -- Addressing modes and data organization -- Subroutine calling mechanisms -- Part three. Number representation ; Representing integers -- Floating point numbers -- Part four. Instruction representation ; Instruction interpretation -- The translation process -- Part five. Input/output structures ; Extended operations and exceptions -- Device communication and interrupts -- Part six. Current topics ; Parallel machines -- Appendixes.

This text was developed to serve as an introduction to computing systems. The text introduces and elucidates the principles of modern computer architecture (instruction set design) and organization (instruction set implementation) through assembly language programming. In the design of computing systems, solutions to problems must fit a set of constraints which are frequently determined by the current state of technology and our understanding of it. As constraints and solutions are a constantly moving target, it is important to emphasize general concepts so that students appreciate the limits of solutions. With this knowledge, students should be better able to anticipate and appreciate the inevitable changes in future systems.