This book proposes an intuitive method to understand the basic computer

architecture with simple tools using spreadsheets to realize it progressively.

Readers can even go further and create their own tools. This computer architecture

learning method starts with the NMOS transistor from which gates are

constructed, then used to create more complex circuits. The Von Neumann

machine is presented as a typical example with the basic addressing methods

and data/control paths. All is created and tested with the active help of the

reader. The assembly language concept is introduced as well as the two-pass

assembler. The translation of a high level language program into assembly is

shown. More sophisticated mechanisms as programmed I/O and interrupts are

also covered.

This book and associated exercices and labworks, is intended for beginners

or Bachlor/Master students in computing science, and for future teachers of

computer architecture.