[Tutor] computer basics

[Alan Gauld]

"Richard Hultgren" <hultgren1946 at yahoo.com> wrote 

> I am learning Python slowly. I would like to begin learning all about 
> how computers work from the bottom up. I have an understanding 
> of binary code. Where should I go from here; 

Wikipedia is your friend most of the time.

The next stage is probably to look at logic gates and combinatorial 
logic and boolean algebra. Look at AND, OR and NOT gates, NOR 
and NAND gates and HALF-ADDER and ADDER arrangements.

Next you look at REGISTERS and maybe LATCHES and read a little 
about the different kinds of Memory. Once you've done that you've got the 
basic building blocks of the hardware (at the same level as binary 
is for software).

The next level from that is harder to determine because you could 
go in any of several directions. Probably the BIOS and OS areas.

The good news is you can use Python to explore most of 
these topics by building simple functions that emulate the hardware 
operations.

Have fun,

-- 
Alan Gauld
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.alan-g.me.uk/