[limitedmage]

How similar is this book to CODE by Charles Petzold? I loved that book because it progressively builds up an imaginary computer using very easy to understand concepts. Even non-technical people can read it to understand how computers work internally.

[Jtsummers]

The Elements of Computing Systems is a project-based course, starting with transistors going through building a computer and then an OS and software on top of it. Code goes deeper into the history leading to modern computers, but doesn't offer this project-based experience from the transistor level up. IMO, the two books offer a nice complement to each other.

[kyting]

As a reader of both books, I couldn't agree with you more.

[Zelphyr]

I read CODE before reading The Elements of Computing Systems. I felt like the former provides details that you actually implement in the latter. Highly recommend both and in that order.

[jhbadger]

"Elements of Computing Systems" is more detailed and involves you actually creating (virtually) a working computer starting from NAND gates. CODE is much more introductory.

[GrumpyYoungMan]

Petzold's Code is a popularization aimed at non-technical readers, as you said. ECS is a textbook aimed at college-level CS and Comp. Eng. students and goes into sufficient technical depth for the reader to build their own digital computing systems.