--- product_id: 1704146 title: "But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone" price: "£20.99" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 10 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1704146-but-how-do-it-know-the-basic-principles-of-computers store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone **Price:** £20.99 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone - **How much does it cost?** £20.99 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1704146-but-how-do-it-know-the-basic-principles-of-computers) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone [Scott, J Clark] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone Review: It really is for Everyone - I am currently a 2nd year Electrical Engineering student and I am enrolled in a Digital Logic course. I found this subject to be very interesting and decided to research further into how computers use simple gates to do such complex functions. That is when I came across this book. Even with the little previous knowledge I had, this book broke everything down - from the simplicity of a register, to the building blocks of the RAM and CPU. It was enlightening to easily read more in depth on an otherwise extremely complex subject and finish the book with the knowledge of how most computers work. I highly recommend this book to my fellow Electrical and Computer engineering colleagues. But don't think that just because engineering students find use of this book, that it is too complicated for those out of the discipline. The author does a great job of breaking down every little necessary nuance of each building block and thoroughly describes how each block works together to make a computer work; all wrapped up in a short ~200 page book. It is written without complex, technical jargon which avoids confusion wherever possible, and is readable by most who have a strong desire to learn more about how computers work. This was such an interesting and informative read. Again, I highly recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest curiosity about how a computer works. Review: Finally, Clarity on a Complex Subject - I have always been intimidated by computers. They seem ridiculously complex and overwhelming to understand. I wasn't happy having this feeling about something I used every day so I decided to try to learn a little more about them. I didn't realize it at the time, but computers are evidently very difficult to explain. Part of the reason for this I think is that there are so many areas of specialization in computers that no one seems able or willing to sit down and try to give a beginner a good overview of the subject that is simple yet detailed enough to allow them to walk away feeling like they learned what they wanted to know. I think that may be why Mr Scott wrote this book. He genuinely wants you to understand how a computer works. He evidently spent a LOT of time designing the computer in this book. It is a fully functional computer and, from other research I have done, it actually works a lot like the computers we use every day. That is rare to find. There are many books out there that talk about the grand theories of computing but never get down into the hardware and what the wires and transistors are actually doing to make things work. Other books will try to build a very very basic computer with you but since it is just a teaching tool, you learn a lot of concepts about computing that don't really work well in reality. This book is the happy medium between the two, not too technical to be overwhelming and not so basic that its unhelpful. If you are looking for a book that will help you understand how your computer works, this is it. There is no other book that I have found that can explain this subject in such a way that you walk away feeling like you finally have clarity on a subject that has been so fuzzy for so long. Its a good feeling, and I highly recommend this book to you if you are looking for that kind of clarity about computers as well. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #200,970 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #4 in Computer Hardware Design #29 in Computer Hardware Design & Architecture #104 in Introductory & Beginning Programming | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,117) | | Dimensions | 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches | | Edition | First Edition | | ISBN-10 | 0615303765 | | ISBN-13 | 978-0615303765 | | Item Weight | 7.4 ounces | | Language | English | | Print length | 222 pages | | Publication date | July 4, 2009 | | Publisher | John C Scott | ## Images ![But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61JJpa+L2AL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It really is for Everyone *by R***N on September 30, 2016* I am currently a 2nd year Electrical Engineering student and I am enrolled in a Digital Logic course. I found this subject to be very interesting and decided to research further into how computers use simple gates to do such complex functions. That is when I came across this book. Even with the little previous knowledge I had, this book broke everything down - from the simplicity of a register, to the building blocks of the RAM and CPU. It was enlightening to easily read more in depth on an otherwise extremely complex subject and finish the book with the knowledge of how most computers work. I highly recommend this book to my fellow Electrical and Computer engineering colleagues. But don't think that just because engineering students find use of this book, that it is too complicated for those out of the discipline. The author does a great job of breaking down every little necessary nuance of each building block and thoroughly describes how each block works together to make a computer work; all wrapped up in a short ~200 page book. It is written without complex, technical jargon which avoids confusion wherever possible, and is readable by most who have a strong desire to learn more about how computers work. This was such an interesting and informative read. Again, I highly recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest curiosity about how a computer works. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Finally, Clarity on a Complex Subject *by B***B on July 13, 2012* I have always been intimidated by computers. They seem ridiculously complex and overwhelming to understand. I wasn't happy having this feeling about something I used every day so I decided to try to learn a little more about them. I didn't realize it at the time, but computers are evidently very difficult to explain. Part of the reason for this I think is that there are so many areas of specialization in computers that no one seems able or willing to sit down and try to give a beginner a good overview of the subject that is simple yet detailed enough to allow them to walk away feeling like they learned what they wanted to know. I think that may be why Mr Scott wrote this book. He genuinely wants you to understand how a computer works. He evidently spent a LOT of time designing the computer in this book. It is a fully functional computer and, from other research I have done, it actually works a lot like the computers we use every day. That is rare to find. There are many books out there that talk about the grand theories of computing but never get down into the hardware and what the wires and transistors are actually doing to make things work. Other books will try to build a very very basic computer with you but since it is just a teaching tool, you learn a lot of concepts about computing that don't really work well in reality. This book is the happy medium between the two, not too technical to be overwhelming and not so basic that its unhelpful. If you are looking for a book that will help you understand how your computer works, this is it. There is no other book that I have found that can explain this subject in such a way that you walk away feeling like you finally have clarity on a subject that has been so fuzzy for so long. Its a good feeling, and I highly recommend this book to you if you are looking for that kind of clarity about computers as well. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good introduction to how computers work *by C***S on January 2, 2025* I got this book when I was a teenager and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It helped me develop my understanding of computer hardware, which has now lead to me studying computer engineering in college. If you know someone who is interested in computer design, this is a great introductory book! ## Frequently Bought Together - But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone - Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software - Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1704146-but-how-do-it-know-the-basic-principles-of-computers](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/1704146-but-how-do-it-know-the-basic-principles-of-computers) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-05-28*