Written by Clive Maxfield and Alvin Brown, two experts in the field of electronic design automation (EDA), "The Definitive Guide to How Computers Do Math" first outlines fundamental math, computer, and calculator concepts such as powers, place-value number systems, the stack, and subroutines, and then provides step-by-step interactive laboratories that focus on a particular task with a defined objective and an expected duration. "The Definitive Guide to How Computers Do Math" demonstrates how to create a set of basic math subroutines for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and then to assemble these subroutines into a framework program that is used to construct a four-function calculator.
The accompanying CD-ROM features the DIY Calculator, a microcomputer that functions as a "virtual machine" on a standard personal computer. The book illustrates how to create a program that runs on the DIY Calculator. The CD-ROM also contains a set of PowerPoint® slides with all the figures from the book, as well as Adobe® Acrobat® PDF files of each of the interactive labs. The Official DIY Calculator Data Book and The History of Calculators, Computers, and Other Stuff, additional documents that provide supplementary material not included in the book, are also available on the CD-ROM.
The associated website (http://DIYCalculator.com) provides upgrades to the DIY Calculator, as well as additional subroutines, historical information, and additional tools.
"The Definitive Guide to How Computers Do Math" offers an accessible and enjoyable guide to the basics of computer arithmetic that will appeal to practicing engineers; students of mathematics, electronics, and computer science; and individuals who simply want to know more about how computers function.
Clive Maxfield is President of TechBites Interactive Inc., a high-technology marketing consultancy. A bestselling author and engineer with a large following in the electronic design automation (EDA) and embedded systems industries, he is Co-Editor of EPE Online, Executive Editor of iDesign, and Executive Editor of SOC Central. He has authored or co-authored numerous technical articles and books, including Bebop to the Boolean Boogie (An Unconventional Guide to Electronics), Bebop BYTES Back (An Unconventional Guide to Computers), EDA: Where Electronics Begins, and The Design Warrior's Guide to FPGAS (Devices, Tools, and Flows.)
Alvin Brown has more than 30 years experience in the electronics and computing industries. He currently holds a senior management position with a prominent EDA vendor. In addition to publishing numerous technical articles and papers, he is Co-Editor and Co-Publisher of EPE Online magazine.