Our goal in writing this book is to expose the inner workings of the modern
digital computer at a level that demystifies what goes on inside the machine.
The only prerequisite to Principles of Computer Architecture is a working
knowledge of a high-level programming language. The breadth of material has
been chosen to cover topics normally found in a first course in computer
architecture or computer organization. The breadth and depth of coverage
have been steered to also place the beginning student on a solid track for continuing studies in computer related disciplines.