I'm learning C while working through Nand2Tetris. My goal is to understand computers from the ground up—not just how to write programs, but how software interacts with hardware, memory, CPUs, and operating systems. Is this a good combination for building solid computer science fundamentals? If you were starting over, what would you add, remove, or study in a different order?
4 Answers
That’s a strong beginner path, especially for understanding how computers work underneath the abstractions. Just keep in mind that Nand2Tetris leans heavily toward hardware and low-level implementation. You’ll eventually want to balance it with software-focused topics such as algorithms, data structures, and software design.
It’s a clear and worthwhile beginner track. Work through it steadily, build small projects instead of only reading, and introduce new subjects gradually. A free introductory computer science course could also help fill in broader areas while you continue with C and Nand2Tetris.
I’d keep both, but remember that they represent older styles of programming. Nand2Tetris focuses on a simplified educational machine, while straightforward C teaches manual memory management and relatively low-level design. Later, study a modern language to see how stronger type systems, automatic memory management, concurrency tools, and modules help with larger programs.
I’ve used a little Python, and after C I’m considering Rust or C++. I’d like to compare how modern languages address some of C’s weaknesses.
The combination is excellent for learning how memory and computation work at a concrete level. Once you finish, building small emulator projects can be a fun next step. CHIP-8 is a manageable starting point, and you can work toward more complex systems later.
I’ve never built an emulator, but starting with CHIP-8 after Nand2Tetris sounds like a really interesting project.
That’s what I’m hoping to do. I’m working through K. N. King’s C Programming: A Modern Approach now, and I plan to study algorithms and data structures afterward, possibly with Sedgewick’s Algorithms in C.