Introduction to Computing Systems: From bits & gates to C & beyond, now in its second edition, is designed to give students a better understanding of computing early in their college careers in order to give them a stronger foundation for later courses. The book is in two parts: (a) the underlying structure of a computer, and (b) programming in a high level language and programming methodology.

To understand the computer, the authors introduce the LC-3 and provide the LC-3 Simulator to give students hands-on access for testing what they learn. To develop their understanding of programming and programming methodology, they use the C programming language. The book takes a "motivated" bottom-up approach, where the students first get exposed to the big picture and then start at the bottom and build their knowledge bottom-up. Within each smaller unit, the same motivated bottom-up approach is followed. Every step of the way, students learn new things, building on what they already know. The authors feel that this approach encourages deeper understanding and downplays the need for memorizing. Students develop a greater breadth of understanding, since they see how the various parts of the computer fit together.

From the Publisher

The focus of the book is on the fundamentals. The approach of this text better prepares students for later courses in both hardware and software, applications and operating systems, data structures and algorithms, data bases and networks, where an understanding of the basic underpinnings is essential to making the required tradeoffs in all of the above areas.
The book is broken down into two major segments, (a) The underlying structure of a computer, using the LC-3, and (b) programming in a high level language, in this case C.
Because students are taught debugging from the first program they write (in machine language) and are required to use the LC-3 Simulator's debugging tools from the beginning, they are better able to master programming and will be able to complete projects with a lot less help from the TA.
An expanded website for the text includes updated versions of the Solutions Manual, the LC-2 Simulator [to the LC-3 Simulator], Source Code of the examples, a link to the authors' website and JPEGs of all of the figures. It also contains a message board, lab manuals for both versions of the LC-3, as well as two sets of PowerPoint presentations created by instructors using the book in their course.
The second edition reflects the feedback of users of the book in the classroom. Over 50 universities have already adopted the book, and both instructors and students have been generous with their praise and constructive with their criticisms. The authors have taken the feedback seriously and, along with their own additional experience from teaching the course three more times since the first edition came out, have made a number of "improvements" in the new edition.
Chapter 3 on logic structures has been augmented with a section on sequential machines. The authors discovered, while teaching the material recently at Texas, that the student needed to understand finite state control before getting into Chapter 4, the VonNeumann Model. The result is Section 3.7, Sequential Circuits.
The new section 3.7 carefully explains the notion of state, and supplies examples. The authors feel that the notion of -state- is one of the most important fundamental concepts that an engineering or a computer science student must understand.
Chapters 8 and 10 include expanded coverage of the material in Section 10.5, Interrupt-driven I/O. The first edition's coverage of interrupt-driven I/O was very limited, but the authors realized, both as a result of teaching it themselves, and as a result of input from other instructors, that the topic is too important to not do solidly. The result is an additional section in Chapter 8 where material on the nature of interrupts, priority levels, and some basic I/O processing is covered, and an additional section in Chapter 10 where the implementation of interrupts using a stack is covered. The authors opted to cover the two parts of interrupt handling separately because it better matches the students' readiness for the material.
Chapters 11-19 and Appendix D. Feedback from several instructors suggest that the authors covered too much of the C language and not enough on programming methodology in the second half of the book. Keeping in line with the authors' initial manuscript, the 2nd edition goes back to more methodology and less complete C coverage.
Appendix D expanded. Given the new increased emphasis on methodology in Chapters 11-19, some of the C material covered in the first edition is relegated to Appendix D in the new edition.
Feedback has suggested that Chapter 5 flows a little too rapidly, and the discussions are a little too terse. The result in the 2nd edition is an overhauled Chapter 5, with extra drawings and extra verbiage to better illustrate what is going on.
A section discussing the hardware/software interface has been added to Chapter 1. The interplay between the software (what the programmer writes) and the hardware (what the computer executes) is essential to the student's understanding of the fundamentals of computer processing. This has been added to Chapter 1 to raise the reader's awareness at the outset of this topic, which is covered throughout the book.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

About Us: Coas Books is New Mexico?s largest second-hand bookstore with more than 500,000 books in stock! We have an incredible selection of new and used books ? including regional and out-of-print books ?, CDs, DVDs, Vinyl, VHS, audio books, and games. Coas Books is family owned and operated, with two stores located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We receive hundreds of books every day, so our inventory is constantly changing and full of hidden gems! Our History: Coas Books was founded in 1983 by archaeologist Pat Beckett. It started out as an archaeological publishing company specializing in anthropology books. As Pat's vast collection of books continued to grow, he purchased a local paperback exchange, and with that Coas Books was born. The name Coas has its roots in archaeology, coming from the Nahuatl term ?coa? ? meaning digging stick ?, and the acronym for "Center of Anthropological Studies". Today, Coas Books is run and operated by Mike and Veronica Beckett as they continue to proudly serve the community in the heart of Las Cruces.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Coas Books, Inc.
317 N. Main, Las Cruces, NM, 88001, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We accept most major credit cards and Paypal. Coas Books, Inc. Las Cruces NM 88001
email coas@coasbooks.com (575)636-1371 Michael Beckett, President

Right of cancellation

If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION

Statutory Right to cancel

You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, Coas Books, Inc., 317 N. Main, 88001, Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.A., 1 575-636-1371, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.

Effects of cancellation

If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or Coas Books, Inc., 317 N. Main, 88001, Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.A., 1 575-636-1371, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of cancellation

The right of cancellation does not apply to:

the delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
the supply of digital content (including ebooks) which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not cancel it once delivery had started.

Model withdrawal form

(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)

To: (Coas Books, Inc., 317 N. Main, 88001, Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.A., 1 575-636-1371)

I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),

Ordered on (*)/received on (*)

Name of consumer(s)

Address of consumer(s)

Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)

Date

* Delete as appropriate.

Shipping Terms

100% Guarantee on all aspects of the order. We have happily made customer service our first priority for our 30-year history. All books are professionally wrapped and shipped within 1 business day. All orders within the United States also include delivery confirmation. Our hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Mon-Fri. (all times Mountain). All inquiries are answered within 1 business day.

Please call us (1-575-647-1435) if you have any questions or E-mail us: coas@coasbooks.com. Books are returnable within 7 days of receipt for exchange or refund.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	3 to 7 business days	2 to 4 business days
First item	� 3.01	� 8.30

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.