Questions About The Elements Of Computing Systems: Building A Modern Computer From First Principles

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Would this be the book for a 14 year old boy on how to learn to build a PC from scratch step by step?

Lowtone It really depends on his current skills. It's a great book and leads to a great fundamental understanding of how modern computers work and how the all…moreIt really depends on his current skills. It's a great book and leads to a great fundamental understanding of how modern computers work and how the all layers of it fit together. However you truly build all layers yourself in projects and those require quite a bit of programming experience, especially the later chapters.
So depending on his programming skill (and his tenacity, since some of the projects can be somewhat frustrating if you get stuck) it's a good choice or not.

Otherwise I can really recommend the book Code, by Petzold. It's a little easier (and just a book, without the attached DIY projects), but its a great introduction to how computers work as well and aimed at a slightly younger audience. You can move on to Elements of Computing Systems afterwards. Here's the Goodreads link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...(less)

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