Putting the "You" in CPU
Learning and science
computer architecture guide
SHOW HN2023
How HN took it
92 positive, 16 neutral or asking, 8 mixed, 12 critical, out of 128 comments about the project. Thread score +0.59.
Docs: 26 for, 5 againstDesign: 12 for, 0 againstIdea: 4 for, 3 againstExecution: 1 for, 0 againstPerformance: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Clear, well-written, engaging style and illustrations
From 4 comments
Very nicely written, and congrats on doing such a deep dive on this kind of topic. These days 17 year olds can get away with "programming" by gluing things they don't understand,…
ggambetta on HNYou are a very skilled technical writer. One way to discern this is asking at a given point, "What question just likely popped into their mind after what they have read?" (you…
HocusLocus on HNThat‘s a very nice writeup, I like the style. The mix of text to illustrations/memes was really pleasent. I have my reservations about the RISC/CISC nomenclature but I guess…
t0b1 on HNWould just like to comment that the presentation is top notch, really appreciate the level of detail put into it.
asynchronous on HN
Impressive work for a 17-year-old
From 3 comments
I'm almost 40 years old, and I've never accomplished something like this. I was just about to cope about my impostor syndrome. Well, I guess I need to cope more! Great job :p
alaintno on HNOP, don't excuse your work by prefixing it with your age. Your write-up is better than most people will ever do. Nice work!
ranting-moth on HNDamn. If you're producing this type of content at 17, I can't even imagine the amazing things you'll be able to do it you choose to pursue the field professionally. Absolutely…
brunooliv on HN
Useful for learners who lack college resources
From 2 comments
Hey. Nice work! I really enjoyed reading this. This is the kind of sensible, from-the-beginning writeup that I wish I'd had way back in the day when I first got started. It's a…
hotsauceror on HNThis is really great. There are many developers with decades of experience that don't understand these things.
not_the_fda on HN
Objections
Some sentences unclear and assumes technical knowledge
From 2 comments
Great effort, but really still needs a bunch of work. In some places the sentences just don't make sense. I think in terms of CPU, a good starting point is the Von Neumann…
keithnz on HN"After executing an instruction, the pointer moves forward to immediately after the instruction in RAM so that it now points to the next instruction.' What is a pointer? How does…
phkahler on HN
Factual nitpicks on the 4004 and program counter terminology
From 1 comment
Great job! I'm an expert but you were right: I learned some things from Chapter 3. A couple of very minor points: "The first mass-produced CPU was the Intel 4004, designed in the…
dreamcompiler on HN
Code block font too large on mobile
From 1 comment
That‘s a very nice writeup, I like the style. The mix of text to illustrations/memes was really pleasent. I have my reservations about the RISC/CISC nomenclature but I guess…
t0b1 on HN
Requests
Add mention of the Program Counter terminology
From 1 comment
I am glad you enjoyed and learned something, thank you! Thank you for the nitpick on the 4004! I think I will actually make a minor correction about that. I know about the…
archmaster on HN
Recommendations for further reading such as Tanenbaum, Petzold and Casey Muratori's course
From 2 comments
Congrats on completing this guide. > There aren't many comprehensive systems resources if you aren't going to college, so I had to sift through tons of different sources of…
js2 on HNOP, you should take a look at Casey Muratori's course at computerenhance.com The first part of the course's homework creates a simulator of the 1978 intel 8086 (which modern…
GuestHNUser on HN
Questions
How much help came from GPT-4
From 1 comment
How much help did you get from GPT-4?
jononomo on HN
How to teach programming to an 11-year-old
From 1 comment
What's your advice on how to teach programming to my kid? Curious to hear what another young person thinks. Kid is 11, has all the basics, knows how to type, knows how to open a…
lordnacho on HN
Alternatives named
Julia Evans' zines and blog
From 1 comment
Very nice guide! I love your writing style, and your research skills are clearly top-notch. Great stuff! You might enjoy reading some articles by Julia Evans (https://jvns.ca/),…
scubbo on HN
Charles Petzold's Code
From 1 comment
Congrats on completing this guide. > There aren't many comprehensive systems resources if you aren't going to college, so I had to sift through tons of different sources of…
js2 on HN
Casey Muratori's computerenhance.com course
From 1 comment
OP, you should take a look at Casey Muratori's course at computerenhance.com The first part of the course's homework creates a simulator of the 1978 intel 8086 (which modern…
GuestHNUser on HN