I am assuming a basic knowledge of computer architecture, but most of what you need to know is also included. The details of computer math are presented in an appendix. I have collected together a representative list of reference books and interesting titles in the bibliography. In a quickly evolving field such as embedded computers, new and relevant material is emerging all the time. This book represents a current snapshot of the field. The plan is to update the material at reasonable intervals. A second volume will address the specifics of implementing embedded systems.

Most of the technology is what it is, because of the path taken. Computers started out as mechanical devices, were then implemented in relay and vacuum tube technology, and then in semiconductors. It is useful to review how we got where we are. The author acknowledges that not all of the readers will have stored data on punch cards or paper tape, or transmitted data via Teletype at 300 baud. I expect that the readership has grown up in a world that has always had an Internet, even a World-Wide Web, and in which, one could always lift their own computer. It was not always so.