Embark on a Journey into the World of Digital Electronics: This course offers an inviting introduction to the realm of digital electronics, tailored for beginners. You will learn how the fundamental building blocks of digital systems work, and progressively assemble a basic computer featuring registers, a common bus, an ALU, memory, and an instruction set.
Course Overview
You can view this course as your "first step" into electronics and computer architecture. We begin with the foundational physics at the atomic level and steadily advance to explore popular analog components, such as relays, vacuum tubes, transistors, and logic gates. You'll also delve into memory devices, arithmetic circuits, control logic, and a variety of other pertinent topics. Our approach ensures learning is hands-on, with practical assignments and real circuits crafted throughout the duration of the course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, you'll possess a comprehensive understanding of how a simple computer operates—from electron-level processes within the hardware to the architecture of a computing machine that stores, loads, and processes data.
Required Tools
Our coursework relies solely on free, cross-platform software including EveryCircuit, Falstad Circuit Simulator, Autodesk TinkerCad, and Logisim Evolution. While breadboards are used for assembling small circuits, they are not essential for successfully completing the course.
Who Should Enroll?
No prior knowledge is required to join this course. If you've ever been curious about the basic structure of a computer "under the hood," this course provides the perfect opportunity.
Specifically designed with beginners in mind, this course is ideal for programmers who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the internal workings of the computing machines they interact with daily.
Gustavo Pezzi is a UK-based computer-science lecturer (Pikuma) and one of the most distinctive teachers working at the intersection of low-level programming and game development. His material is unusual in the modern course market for how deep it goes into the foundations: assembly, computer architecture, classical raycasting / rasterisation algorithms, and the math underneath modern graphics.
His CourseFlix listing reflects that range: courses on 3D Computer Graphics Programming, Raycasting Engine Programming, 2D Game Physics Programming, NES Programming with 6502 Assembly, PS1 Programming with MIPS Assembly & C, Atari 2600 Programming, Compilers, Interpreters and Formal Languages, plus C++ engine programming and Lua scripting. Material is paid and aimed at developers who want to understand systems from the ground up rather than ship CRUD apps.
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As software engineers, we study computer systems (or computer architecture) to understand how our programs ultimately work and how the machine expects our.
As in any field, strong fundamental knowledge forms the foundation for everything else. That is why this course is your first step on the path to a profession..
1h 30m
Frequently asked questions
What prerequisites are needed before enrolling in this course?
No prior knowledge is required to enroll in the course. It is designed for beginners and starts with the foundational physics at the atomic level before advancing to more complex topics in digital electronics and computer architecture.
What kind of projects will I work on during the course?
The course includes hands-on projects where you'll assemble a basic computer featuring key components like registers, a common bus, an ALU, and memory. Practical assignments involve crafting real circuits and using various digital tools to simulate and build components such as logic gates, relays, and transistors.
Who is the ideal audience for this course?
This course is tailored for beginners interested in digital electronics and computer architecture. It is suitable for anyone who wants to understand the fundamental building blocks of digital systems, regardless of their background in physics or electronics.
How does this course compare in depth to other courses on similar topics?
The course offers a comprehensive introduction to digital electronics and computer architecture. It covers topics from electron-level processes to the architecture of a simple computing machine, making it suitable for beginners while providing enough depth for a solid foundational understanding.
What specific tools and platforms will be used in the course?
The coursework utilizes free, cross-platform software such as EveryCircuit, Falstad Circuit Simulator, Autodesk TinkerCad, and Logisim Evolution. These tools help simulate and design circuits, providing a practical learning experience without the need for physical components.
What topics are not covered in this course?
The course does not delve into advanced computer architecture topics such as microprocessor design or modern computing systems. It maintains a focus on the fundamental principles and components of digital electronics and the basics of computer architecture.
How much time should I expect to commit to this course?
The course consists of 202 lessons, each designed to progressively build your understanding of digital electronics and computer architecture. While the total runtime is not specified, students should anticipate a significant time commitment to engage with both the theoretical and practical components effectively.
