How to Count

by Steven Frank

Programming for Mere Mortals is a series of books designed to introduce the concepts of programming from the ground up to a reader who has never written a line of code. Unlike most programming books which aim to teach you a particular language or operating system, this series focuses on the core fundamentals that are common to programming any computer. The first volume, How to Count (approx. 70 pages), introduces you in a laid-back, conversational tone to math concepts that are essential to becoming a successful programmer. Topics - Numeric bases (decimal, binary, hexadecimal) - Signed vs. unsigned numbers - Units of data measure - Floating point and fixed point arithmetic This short, easily understood book will quickly get you thinking like a programmer.

Genres: Programming, Nonfiction, Computer Science, Technology, Software, Computers

69 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice breakdown

Short read, answers a lot of questions I had about the mysterious binary code. I'm not a programmer nor do I work in a field related to computers. Loved it. Everything broken down so simply even a caveman like me could understand.

[Emir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Frank’s motivation for writing the book is compelling. Contemporary software products are built on top of layers of technology, both hardware and software. For someone interested in starting to write software, or even understand computing better, working with the level of abstraction offered by contemporary tools can feel like learning the mechanics and missing the fundamentals. Like being expected to do calculus after not getting algebra. "Learning to code" is today’s buzzword. I see books offering help in that effort everywhere. Understanding principles, however, is a job too often left to degree programs. If you stick with my mathematics analogy, this books is about the arithmetic of the computing stack. Looking to understand how is it that computers store information? What’s the difference between a Megabyte and Mebibyte? Megabits per second vs Megabytes per second? This is the book. I appreciate Steve’s writing style. It’s got the lightness of linguistic touch and avoids forced humor. It simplifies the tangentials to clarify the essence. If you know of a good book that deals with with subsequent layers of the computing stack in a manner in which "How to Count" deals with the first, let me know! Steve, I can’t wait until you write one.

[Mikal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good companion read. It is intended as one of many books in a series, but there is no sign of the other books to come.

I'm in the process of an immersion of all things "software construction". Coming from a business and design background, I find the need to immerse my self in the engineering aspects in order to grok the computer / software stack.

This book is good quick companion to other readings. It is a nibblet.

I read 'How to Count' as a breather after completing the first 1/3 of Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software. That would probably be the approach I recommend to others. It explains basic binary math but doesn't explain why this information will be useful to you in the future (and the author is quick to remind us, you don't actually need to know this in order to program your first app).

This book on its own does not provide enough detail to be useful, its a good companion explanation but it is essentially a bridge without a connecting road.

Perhaps when the author publishes additional books in the series it will have stronger merits.

[Christin White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb little book giving you a foundation to understand how computers count and calculate numbers. It's clear and quite easily understood without waiting space on superflious details, I really enjoyed it!

[Cassio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good computer science primer. Literally covers the fundamental things you need to know to understand for example GB and MB, and speeds of internet connection, as well as binary, decimal, and hexadecimal.

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent beginner companion for those who are new to program. It lays down the basics of how a computer thinks, on a personal note I believe it changed the way I knew computers work and operate. A must read for the new coders.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, easy to read book that helps explain the computer brain to us mere mortals who do not have a computer science background. It made computer history and fundamentals much easier to understand. Highly recommend.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the quick read if you've always wondered how number are stored in computers. I look forward to reading future books in the series.

[Ginger Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very pleased with this books. It covered the basics well and it even left a little room for humor. It was just what I needed to feel more comfortable jumping into programming.

[Luke Fullagar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and simple, conversational guide to programming basics. 71 easy to read pages.

[Enrique Sánchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and concise read about how computers deal with numbers. A must for anyone who wants to get into programming.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

math is fun again

[Kyle Rogerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone should have a handle on this.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 45 min primer / refresher on modern computer math. Required reading for anyone even remotely connected to computers and programming.

[Teddi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super quick read and a great refresher on math from a programming perspective. The author was very clear and used easy to understand examples.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of an amazing explanation of binary.

[Nate B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start. Nicely explained basics of how computers and programming work.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun short book. It could be called "How Computers Count".

[Matt Fine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read if you are in the Network Engineering industry or you code.