Practical Computer Architecture with Python and ARM: An introductory guide for enthusiasts and students to learn how computers work and program their own

Learn computer architecture with Python and ARM, simulating assembly program execution and designing a computer simulator Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook Key Features Build a computer simulator with Python: Learn computer architecture by designing and constructing a simulator Python for architecture: Use Python to simulate and execute assembly language instructions ARM programming on Raspberry Pi: Explore ARM assembly language and run programs on Raspberry Pi Book Description This comprehensive guide offers a unique and immersive learning experience by combining Python programming with ARM architecture. Starting with an introduction to computer architecture and the flow of data within a computer system, you’ll progress to building your own interpreter using Python. You’ll see how this foundation enables the simulation of computer operations and learn ways to enhance a simulator by adding new instructions and displaying improved results. As you advance, you’ll explore the TC1 Assembler and Simulator Program to gain insights into instruction analysis and explore practical examples of simulators. This will help you build essential skills in understanding complex computer instructions, strengthening your grasp of computer architecture. Moreover, you’ll be introduced to the Raspberry Pi operating system, preparing you to delve into the detailed language of the ARM computer. This includes exploring the ARM instruction set architecture, data-processing instructions, subroutines, and the stack. With clear explanations, practical examples, and coding exercises, this resource will enable you to design and construct your own computer simulator, simulate assembly language programs, and leverage the Raspberry Pi for ARM programming. What you will learn Master the core principles of computer architecture Understand the role of registers, memory, and data flow in computers Discover how to design and implement a computer simulator using Python Simulate and execute assembly language programs on the simulator Enhance the simulator using new instructions for improved output Analyze complex computer instructions for deeper architectural understanding Explore the ARM instruction set and data processing on the Raspberry Pi Develop proficiency in writing, assembling, and running ARM code on the Raspberry Pi Who this book is for This book is for university students studying computer science, particularly those enrolled in a computer architecture module. With its practical approach and succinct explanations, it is also suitable for hobbyists, enthusiasts, and self-learners seeking a deeper understanding of computer systems. The book assumes foundational knowledge of number bases, binary arithmetic, and Boolean logic concepts. While it primarily caters to the computer science field, this book is less geared toward electrical or electronics engineering. Table of Contents Product Information Introduction to the computer Computer architecture: Data flow in a computer Crafting an interpreter: First steps A little more Python Analyzing the Instruction The Different Types of Computing Technologies Adding New Instructions Displaying results Examples of simulators "Basics of the Raspberry Pi operating system" "ARM instruction set architecture" ARM data-processing instructions Appendix I: Examples of ARM code Cover Title Page Copyright and Credit Dedicated Contributors Table of Contents Preface Part 1: Using Python to Simulate a Computer Chapter 1: From Finite State Machines to Computers Technical requirements The finite state machine Traffic lights example Solving a simple problem algorithmically Constructing an algorithm Summary Chapter 2: High-Speed Introduction to Python Technical requirements Reading programs Getting started with Python Python’s data types Mathematical operators Names, values, and variables Comments The list – a Python key data structure Slicing lists and strings Functions in Python Conditional operations and decision-making Using a conditional expression in Python Python’s if ... else Reading data from a file Computer memory Register transfer language Summary Chapter 3: Data Flow in a Computer Technical requirements The Instruction Architecture Level (ISA) ISAs – the Naming of Parts The von Neumann architecture The address path Reading the instruction The CPU’s data paths Typical data movement instructions Data processing instructions Another look at the data flow An assembly-level program Executing conditional instructions Dealing with literal operands The machine-level instruction Instruction types and formats CISC and RISC Two ways of representing literals Summary Chapter 4: Crafting an Interpreter – First Steps Technical Requirements Building a simple computer interpreter in Python Python code for a primitive simulator The TC1 instruction set Bit-handling in Python Operator precedence in Python Decoding and executing an instruction Arithmetic and logical operations Functions in Python Branches and flow control Summary Chapter 5: A Little More Python Technical requirements More string features String processing Example – text Input List comprehensions The tuple Repetition and looping Repetition and Iterables Lists of lists Indenting in python The dictionary Functions revisited Imports Summary Chapter 6: TC1 Assembler and Simulator Design Technical requirements Analyzing instructions Processing the input Dealing with assembler directives Using the dictionary Labels Building the binary instruction Extracting the instruction and its parameters Intermission: The Pre-TC1 The Simulator The TC1 simulator program Single-stepping File input Example of a TC1 assembly language program Testing the assembler Testing flow control operations Testing shift operations TC1 postscript The classDecode function The testLine function The testIndex() function General comments The TC1tiny code listing TC1 postscript mark II Summary Chapter 7: Extending the TC1 Technical requirements Another look at python’s input and output Displaying data Input validation Validating data Adding new instructions First example – putting two memory locations in ascending order Second example – adding a bit-reversal instruction A new comparison operation Variable-length instructions A variable-length instruction machine Summary Chapter 8: Simulators for Other Architectures Technical requirements TC0: A stack-based calculator TC0: A python stack machine TC2: A one-address accumulator machine Enhancing the TC2 Simulator TC3: A CISC machine with a register-to-memory architecture The TC3 instruction set architecture Features of the simulator The complete TC3 code A sample run of TC3 Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) Testing the ALU A final example: TC4 Comments on TC4 Summary Part 2: Using Raspberry Pi to Study a Real Computer Architecture Chapter 9: Raspberry Pi: An Introduction Technical requirements Raspberry Pi basics Basics of the Raspberry Pi operating system Directory navigation File operations Installing and updating programs and packages Creating and editing an assembly language program Assembling ARM code Debugging assembly language Using the Raspberry Pi debugger Accessing memory Features of the GCC ARM assembler Dealing with 32-bit literals A note on endianism Bringing everything together – a final example Summary Chapter 10: A Closer Look at the ARM Technical requirements Introducing the ARM Overview of the ARM’s architecture Arm register set Arithmetic instructions Flow control instructions Unconditional branches Conditional branch Conditional executions Sequential conditional execution Summary Chapter 11: ARM Addressing Modes Literal addressing Scaled literals Register indirect addressing Pointer-based addressing with an offset Two pointers are better than one Automatic indexing of pointer registers Example of string-copying Program counter-relative addressing Demonstration of program counter relative addressing Summary Chapter 12: Subroutines and the Stack The Branch with link instruction The stack A subroutine call and return Block move instructions Disassembling the code Block moves and stack operations Summary Appendices – Summary of Key Concepts Index Other Books You May Enjoy