The Definitive Guide to How Computers Do Math: Featuring the Virtual DIY Calculator

Laboratories ix

Do You Speak Martian? xi

Chapter 0 Why This Book is So Cool 1

This is where we discover just why this book is so cool, and also why this chapter is numbered “0.”

Chapter 1 Introducing Binary and Hexadecimal Numbers 7

In this chapter we introduce the concepts of the binary and hexadecimal number systems (but in a much more interesting manner than most computer books).

Chapter 2 Computers and Calculators 23

Here we rampage through the insides of a simple computer and calculator, and we also meet our virtual DIY Calculator.

Chapter 3 Subroutines and Other Stuff 35

In this smorgasbord of a chapter, we first discuss logical, shift, and rotate instructions; then we plunge headfirst into the stack, subroutines, recursion, and the concept of selfmodifying code.

Chapter 4 Integer Arithmetic 69

This is where we learn the concepts of signed and unsigned binary arithmetic, and multibyte data representations. In the labs associated with this chapter we create some integer-based math subroutines for use in Chapter 5.

Chapter 5 Creating an Integer Calculator 123

This is where things really start to get interesting because we use the subroutines we developed in Chapter 4 to implement a simple four-function integer calculator.

Chapter 6 More Functions and Experiments 135

This may be the last chapter, but turn that frown upside down into a smile because this is where we discover additional projects you can undertake, and also how you can compete with other readers to create better math routines for your DIY Calculator.

Interactive Laboratories 155–412

This is where you will find the interactive laboratories associated with Chapters 2 through 5 (see more details on page ix).

Appendix A Installing Your DIY Calculator 413

In this appendix, we learn how to install the virtual DIY Calculator presented on the CD-ROM accompanying this book.

Appendix B Addressing Modes 417

Here we learn about the various addressing modes supported by the virtual microprocessor powering the DIY Calculator.

Appendix C Instruction Set Summary 429

The tables in this appendix are useful for quickly determining which instructions are available with which addressing modes.

Appendix D Additional Resources 433

There is a wealth of additional resources for individual readers and educators on the CD-ROM accompanying the book and from the DIY Calculator’s website. Also, there are lots of other really interesting books to read. This appendix explains it all.

About the Authors 441

Acknowledgments 443

Index 445