Hey everyone! I'm trying to find some good resources on computer architecture. I'm curious about things like why an integer is 4 bytes on one machine but only 2 on another, how data is actually stored in memory, the differences between stack and heap, and even some basics of assembly language. I'd love any recommendations for popular courses or books, whether they are free or paid. Thanks a lot and have a great day!
4 Answers
You might want to consider reading 'Code' by Charles Petzold. It's a fascinating book that covers computer architecture from the ground up and includes some interactive diagrams online that make learning more engaging! It does take a bit longer to get through, but I found it really enjoyable and informative.
I’ve heard that 'computer organization' is another key area to explore. If you're diving into assembly, learning ARM might be a good call since its instruction set is simpler compared to x86_64. Just for the record, I never really read my books in college; I just paid attention in class and did the projects!
Check out the website 'Teach Yourself Computer Science.' They have a section specifically on computer architecture, and a lot of the resources are free. Some people really enjoy the Nand2Tetris course if you're into hands-on learning, but it’s not everyone's cup of tea. Also, Berkeley's CS61C is a great course to look at for in-depth info on this stuff. For assembly language, I'd suggest starting with something like a Raspberry Pi to connect directly with the hardware! And, don’t miss Compiler Explorer at godbolt.org for a clear view of how higher-level programming translates to assembly.
If this is more of a hobby, diving into assembly is definitely a great way to understand architecture. But if you're considering a career, I might suggest looking into fields like nursing or carpentry instead, especially with the rise of AI. There’s a ton of free resources out there online, so using Google will help a lot. If you want to spend some cash, you could get an Apple computer and download Xcode for some good programming practice. You can also build your own computer or play around with a Raspberry Pi!

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