The Most Complex Machine
Table of Contents


Preface

Chapter 1. Introduction: What Computers Do

  • 1.1. Bits, Bytes, etc.
  • 1.2. Transistors, Gates, etc.
  • 1.3. Instructions, Subroutines, etc.
  • 1.4. Handling Complexity
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 2. Teaching Silicon to Compute

  • 2.1. Logical Circuitry
  • 2.2. Arithmetic
  • 2.3. Circuits that Remember
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 3. Building a Computer

  • 3.1. Basic Design
  • 3.2. Fetching and Executing
  • 3.3. Self-control
  • 3.4. Postscript: Assembly Language
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 4. Theoretical Computers

  • 4.1. Simulation and Universality
  • 4.2. Turing Machines
  • 4.3. Unsolvable Problems
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 5. Real Computers

  • 5.1. A Brief History
  • 5.2. Usable Computers
  • 5.3. Computers and Society
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 6. Programming

  • 6.1. The Power of Names
  • 6.2. Taking Control
  • 6.3. Building Programs
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 7. Subroutines and Recursion

  • 7.1. Writing and Using Subroutines
  • 7.2. Real Programs
  • 7.3. Recursion
  • 7.4. Postscript: Implementation Issues
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 8. Real Programming Languages

  • 8.1. Virtual Machines
  • 8.2. The Other Half of Programming
  • 8.3. Escape from the von Neumann Machine
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 9. Applications

  • 9.1. The Works
  • 9.2. Off the Desktop
  • 9.3. Postscript: Analysis of Algorithms
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 10. Cooperating Computers

  • 10.1. Programming for Parallel Processing
  • 10.2. Multiprocessing Computers
  • 10.3. Computer Networks
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 11. Graphics

  • 11.1. Mathematical Foundations
  • 11.2. Realistic Images
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Chapter 12. Artificial Intelligence

  • 12.1. Good Old-fashioned Artificial Intelligence
  • 12.2. The Philosophical Debate
  • 12.3. AI in the World
  • Chapter Summary
  • Questions

Answers

Annotated Bibliography

Index


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