Computers: An Introduction to Hardware and Software Design [Hardcover]

Larry L. Wear (Author), James R. Pinkert (Author), William G. Lane (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070686742 | ISBN-13: 978-0070686748 | Publication Date: February 1, 1991

This book, written specifically as the main text for an introductory course in computer engineering, covers both computer hardware and computer software and is geared toward first-year students. It provides a foundation for various aspects of computer engineering - history, theory, hardware, software and design. The coverage of applications shows students many examples currently being run on computers. Illustrations are incuded as well as end-of-chapter problems.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (February 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070686742
• ISBN-13: 978-0070686748
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,767,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One of the most poorly written textbooks I have ever seen, September 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Computers: An Introduction to Hardware and Software Design (Hardcover)

I am a college computer science instructor teachng a sophomore level CS course in computer architecture. This book is supposedly meant to introduce first or second year computer science students to the basic organization of computer components, but it miserably fails at presenting the fundamentals as it attempts to be all things to all people at all levels in all disciplines. Most chapters are unfocused as the authors jump all over the map instead of focusing on one component at a time and methodically presenting fundamental concepts of computer systems. I would not hesitate to use the word "criminal" to portray the authors although they have not broken the law of this land by charging $95 for this. Just 4 weeks into the semester, I have explicitly told the students to go back and attempt to sell the books back. The authors are more than welcome to email me so that I can address some specifics, but since the book is so poorly written and hopelessly unfocused that I would not know where to begin.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Concur with the reader above, December 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Computers: An Introduction to Hardware and Software Design (Hardcover)

I too am a college instructor. I will give one example of poor authorship. The book has barely over 1 page on micro-operations, then it goes off on and on about micro-programming with diagrams that look like my dog's barf. Also, the very first chapter on operating systems babbles about distributed systems, which most other OS texts do not touch till 8th or 9th chapters. Words cannot express how bad this book is.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREATEST BOOK - EVER!, September 28, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Computers: An Introduction to Hardware and Software Design (Hardcover)

Pinkert and Wear are at it again, this time with a grippingly detailed masterpiece of hardware and software design passion. This book was a rock-em-sock-em roller coaster - Pinkert and Wear can not be stopped. This dynamic duo set out to make a hot and steamy text book and they did just that. No other authors to date have managed to capture the sheer erotic power that is achieved by the perfect bonding of HARDware and SOFTware as these two have. Each word flows forth with expert percision that exudes pure sexual energy that surely all engineers must experience as they pursue new levels of system design. Once again proving that celebacy really does lend itself to brilliant feats of engineering!