Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software 2nd Edition

An engaging and accessible exploration of how computers really work. The author breaks down complex concepts into simple, relatable explanations, making topics like binary, logic gates, and basic circuits far less intimidating. For newcomers, it’s a great way to build a foundational understanding of computer theory with just a touch of electrical engineering.As someone with a technical background, I still found it entertaining; the examples and analogies added fresh ways to frame ideas I already knew. It’s the kind of book that can bridge the gap between “I use computers” and “I understand what’s happening under the hood.”Highly recommended for anyone curious about what makes hardware and software tick, whether you’re starting from scratch or just want a new perspective.

Fantastic book. It goes through the invention of hardware that use code. It shows how most are a binary system from braille to the telegraph. It introduces electricity concepts like current, resistance, conductiveness. It gives you the concepts of logic with logical gates and Boolean Algebra.

I wanted to know more about all the fuzz is about with AI and Language Learning Models, a friend recommended this book, and wow, it is the authoritative compendium on the subject matter. Great read, very thorough introduction to AI pragmatics and evolutionary Quantum processing.

The second edition is well written. Charles P. is known for his excellent books on programming and architecture. If you want to know how computers work, this book is for you. Be aware there are some errors (see errata on the internet). I corrected everything in 10 mins, no big deal.

This is an amazing book for the right kind of reader. It's a lot like Euclid's Elements but for computers as it leads the reader through designing a computer from first principles and builds to the point of creating software and adding peripherals. It's an amazingly clear but slightly challenging read. I have given this book as a gift many many times. It's an absolute classic in my opinion.

A very basic book that should be mandatory for anyone working with computers, from basic coding to electrical engineers. It’s easy to read, goes over the whole process from early communication with flash lights to switches and routers, to how code works with the computers hardware. As a data scientist without much of a computer science background, this was a delight.

I never read the first edition of Code, but this seems to be an improvement. I'm only 100 pages in, but it is quite readable and I like the author's pace - though there's alot of material that's covered, the pace is relaxed and the reader usually won't feel overwhelmed. A minor flaw that I've noticed is that the physics underlying some of the engineering wasn't explained in detail, and that would've helped with regards to be being able to understand the circuits. On the whole, this book seems to be great, and I'd highly recommend it to programmers trying to understand the software-hardware interface.

Disclaimer: I owned the first edition for years and read it a dozen times, mainly for pleasure since it’s not only informative but also just enjoyable to read. I’m a professional software architect and have dozens of textbooks on computer science and engineering so I’ve been around the block.This is the kind of book I would buy all for all my friends (if I had more than a couple) and family members (if they were even slightly into computers, which they aren’t sadly). Petzold does an exceptional job at describing digital logic and guides you through building a conceptual CPU from very first principles.I think his bottom up approach is the way to go and has helped me understand complex topics in an extremely simple way. When I’m not reading fiction, this is my go to bedtime reading.The second edition has about 100 more pages than the first and some content has been completely reworked and it’s great.If you ever had even a passing interest in knowing how computers work at a very fundamental level, get this book!