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Dive Into Systems: A Gentle Introduction to Computer Systems
"Dive into systems serves as an introduction to computer systems, computer organization, and parallel computing. The book is intended for an audience that has only a CS background"--
816 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2022
20 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 2, 2025
Having completed Nand2Tetris before, I found this book to be a great refresher on some of the overlapping topics, such as sequential logic and computer architecture (Von Neumann architecture).
It was also a joy to follow the sections, given how Linux-friendly the entire book is. Additionally, there’s a very handy, finely-crafted online version with some helpful tools, such as my favourite one: the ASM Visualizer.
Overall, I recommend it as a remarkable introduction to computer systems.
It was also a joy to follow the sections, given how Linux-friendly the entire book is. Additionally, there’s a very handy, finely-crafted online version with some helpful tools, such as my favourite one: the ASM Visualizer.
Overall, I recommend it as a remarkable introduction to computer systems.
March 16, 2023
Dive In
This book is a great introduction to computer systems, and it was very effective in helping understand how computers work.
Matthews is a knowledgeable and skilled author, and it's clear that she put a lot of effort into making the book accessible and enjoyable for readers. Her explanations are clear and concise, and she does an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into more manageable pieces.
I found the book helpful and would recommend it to others.
If you're interested in learning more about computer systems, there are plenty of other resources available that build on the foundation provided by this book.
Overall, this is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of computer systems, and it's definitely worth checking out!
4.0/5
This book is a great introduction to computer systems, and it was very effective in helping understand how computers work.
Matthews is a knowledgeable and skilled author, and it's clear that she put a lot of effort into making the book accessible and enjoyable for readers. Her explanations are clear and concise, and she does an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into more manageable pieces.
I found the book helpful and would recommend it to others.
If you're interested in learning more about computer systems, there are plenty of other resources available that build on the foundation provided by this book.
Overall, this is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of computer systems, and it's definitely worth checking out!
4.0/5
March 26, 2025
Good things:
- One of the most concise systems intro book out there.
- Written in a very prosaic verbose style. Almost impossible to get lost for any reader.
Bad things:
- It can get a little too verbose at times. Some(many) sections felt like it could be written a lot shorter. But then again doing this would eat into this book's great accessibility.
Appreciated the online version available to read for free!
- One of the most concise systems intro book out there.
- Written in a very prosaic verbose style. Almost impossible to get lost for any reader.
Bad things:
- It can get a little too verbose at times. Some(many) sections felt like it could be written a lot shorter. But then again doing this would eat into this book's great accessibility.
Appreciated the online version available to read for free!
June 30, 2025
An excellent introduction to systems—with a perfect format. Matthews clearly conveys systems topics in a way that makes sense for students with a computer science background. As a course textbook or a reference, this book serves well and you will learn a great deal from it.
Currently reading
October 29, 2022Chapter 1. By the C, by the C, by the beautiful C
Chapter 2. Deeper dive into C Programming
Chapter 4. Binary and data representation
Chapter 5. What von Neumann knew: Computer Architecture
Chapter 2. Deeper dive into C Programming
Chapter 4. Binary and data representation
Chapter 5. What von Neumann knew: Computer Architecture
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews