Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

"Binary" is a weird place to start. Even adults dont start there.


Yeah, it doesn't appear until page 26 of The Beginner's computer handbook

https://archive.org/details/beginnerscompute0000unse/page/26...

Or page 10 of Inside the Chip, illustrated with Tron cycles

https://archive.org/details/insidechip00hele/page/10/mode/2u...

It's on the cover of Machine code for beginners, but nobody read that one first. (It's available in full though, BTW.)

https://archive.org/details/machine-code-for-beginners


I have a computer science degree. The point is: binary is a boring thing and some what irrelevant to the computer CONCEPT, it only becomes relevant when you delve into logical gates and and stuff.

It's weird that someone would approach a book for kids the same way they do for adults. Instead of painting a top-down, inspiring picture, they start with some boring building block that's arguably not even on the critical path.


I think it is fine to start with binary. But what I need is REALLY simple examples of constructing with binary.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: