I am searching for a good introductory book on Computer Organization & Architecture (preferably not more than 300 pages). I have a decent understanding of computer software but a very basic understanding of computer hardware.
Are there any standard prescribed textbooks for the above topic?
Edit:
Actually I am preparing for an exam whose syllabus includes:
Computer Organization and Architecture: Machine instructions and addressing modes, ALU and data-path, CPU control design, Memory interface, I/O interface (Interrupt and DMA mode), Instruction pipelining, Cache and main memory, Secondary storage.
Is the book titled "Structured Computer Organization"? I checked, it does seem very thorough.
Actually I am preparing for an exam whose syllabus includes:
Computer Organization and Architecture: Machine instructions and addressing modes, ALU and data-path, CPU control design, Memory interface, I/O interface (Interrupt and DMA mode), Instruction pipelining, Cache and main memory, Secondary storage.
So I would like a book in which the above concepts are covered (maybe not in too much detail).
Edit:
Thanks for the links @akn. Will go through them. Although I would prefer studying from a book also since then the flow of concepts are consistent.
This is the main book in my computer architecture course and while I only quickly skipped through the book, it is really comprehensive. It definitely contains something about cache I/O machine instructions, dma
You cant expect a thorough book on computer architecture to be less than 300 pages
^ Defintely agree with that. It is just like with C++ if you want a thorough book on the language it is going to be definitely 300 pages+, if not appoaching 1000 pages like C++ Primer.
True that is for C++ and not computer architecture but I would think that the computer architecture subject would have much more to learn about then C++ would.
Ok, thanks so much guys.
Actually I didn't want a thorough book. I wss hoping it might just cover the topics I mentioned without going into too much detail. But after reading your suggestions I think I shouldn't go the seemingly easy way.
Just to thank people who recommended Tanenbaum's book, I started reading it couple of days ago and found out that it is indeed an un-put-downable book!
The way of writing and the subtle humour keeps you engaged. Will read it cover to cover.