Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Reader's guide -- Introduction -- Computer evolution and performance -- A Top-level view of computer functions and interconnection -- Cache memory -- Internal memory -- External memory -- Input/output -- Operating system support -- Computer arithmetic -- Instruction sets: characteristics and functions -- Addressing modes and formats -- Processor structure and function -- Reduced instruction set computers -- Instruction leve-level parallelism and superscalar processors -- The IA-64 architecture -- Control unit operation -- Microprogrammed control -- Parallel processing -- Appendix A: Number systems -- Appendix B: Digital logic -- Appendix C: Projects for teaching computer organization and architecture --Glossary.