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Computer Systems, Fourth Edition

Author(s): J. Stanley Warford, Pepperdine University, California
Details:
  • ISBN-13: 9780763771447
  • Hardcover    700 pages      © 2010
Price: International Sales $164.95 US List
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Overview

Completely revised and updated, Computer Systems, Fourth Edition offers a clear, detailed, step-by-step introduction to the central concepts in computer organization, assembly language, and computer architecture. It invites students to explore the many dimensions of computer systems through a top-down approach to levels of abstraction. By examining how the different levels of abstraction relate to one another, the text helps students look at computer systems and their components as a unified concept.

The new Fourth Edition is based on the Pep/8 assembler and simulator, which was designed to teach the basics of the classic von Neumann machine.  Pep/8 now includes a new symbolic trace feature that displays global variables and the run-time stack in real time as the student single steps through the program.  Throughout the text Warford emphasizes the importance of mastering fundamental computer concepts, which provides a basis for understanding both current and future technology, while also stressing the importance of keen problem solving skills.  Computer Systems, Fourth Edition covers all of the core topics in the Architecture and Organization category of the ACM-IEEE Curriculum 2001 Guidelines for Computer Science.

Access the latest version of Pep/8 here! 

ShowKey Features

New to this Edition!

Includes an improved and expanded review of C++ in a new section.

New to this Edition!

Coverage of character code is now even more student-friendly. A description of the Unicode character set replaces the treatment of EBCDIC.

New to this Edition!

New Trace Tags - The Pep/8 assembler and simulator includes a new symbolic trace feature that displays global variables and the run-time stack in real time as the student single steps through the program.  The documentation advantage of trace tags is so great that the text now describes the trace tag syntax and includes trace tags in every assembly language program in the text and solutions manual.

New to this Edition!

Includes new Programming Problems!

New to this Edition!

Improved RAID coverage - Includes more extensive coverage of RAID disk systems. The difference between RAID levels 01 and 10 is expanded with new figures and a new quantitative analysis exercise.

Improved MIPS coverage - The MIPS coverage is expanded and includes a systematic comparison of Pep/8 as a CISC architecture versus MIPS as a RISC architecture.

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ShowTable of Contents

  Preface  
Level 7  Application
  Chapter 1   Computer Systems
Level 6  High-Order Language
  Chapter 2  C++
Level 3  Instruction set Architecture
  Chapter 3  Information Representation
  Chapter 4  Computer Architecture
Level 5  Assembly
  Chapter 5  Assembly Language
  Chapter 6  Compiling to the Assembly Level
  Chapter 7  Language Translation Principles
Level 4  Operating System
  Chapter 8  Process Management
  Chapter 9  Storage Management
Level 1  Logic Gate
  Chapter 10  Combinational Circuts
  Chapter 11  Sequential Circuits
Level 2  Microcode
  Chapter 12  Computer Organization
  Appendix  
  Solutions to Selected Exercises  
  Index  
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ShowAbout the Author(s)

J. Stanley Warford-Pepperdine University, California

Professor Warford was an aerospace engineer before turning to academia. He is currently the Chair of the Computer Science Department at Pepperdine University, where he has taught for more than 30 years. He earned his MS degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his PhD from UCLA. Professor Warford holds the Luckman Award for teaching excellence and the Frank R. Seaver Professorship in the Science Division at Pepperdine.

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