Digital computer electronics

What Hacker News says

1. versalog1460Feb 2026
   Reminds me of the book that taught me computer architecture, Malvino & Brown's "Digital Computer Electronics". Especially the block diagrams.

   I do wonder why we weren't taught about stack machines in my university courses, they seem practical for low-level data handling.

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2. rickdeveloperJun 2021
   I really liked Digital Computer Electronics by Albert Paul Malvino.
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3. jroesnerJan 2020
   I found “Digital Computer Electronics” by Malvino and Brown really helpful. It starts from scratch. Was also a recommendation from Ben Eater, but you will only find used copies, since the book is not in print no more.
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4. TistelApr 2018
   There are less dangerous ways to explore "building a CPU from scratch" that hit on the really interesting bits. "Digital Computer Electronics" by Malvino and Brown. You are given logic gates (and, or, nor, nand etc) and build up from there to a working CPU. The articles referenced about HF are terrifying. I am a programmer, but, have worked in a chemistry lap. Its just endless stinky stuff that will kill you in a variety of ways. The logic of how a CPU works is more interesting.
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5. LimbMar 2017
   Very nice! I had the same idea, and had started laying out the designs he was using in KiCAD as well. If you haven't already I suggest picking up a copy of Digital Computer Electronics [0] by Malvino, which he uses as a basis for his designs. It's a great reference and lets you dive a little deeper into the design as well.

   [0] https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Computer-Electronics-Albert-M...

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6. chamblinSep 2013
   Check out Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold for a slightly romantic take, or Malvino's Digital Computer Electronics for an undergraduate view of computer architecture.
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