With up-to-date coverage of modern architectural approaches, this handbook provides a thorough discussion of the fundamentals of computer organization and architecture, as well as the critical role of performance in driving computer design. Captures the field's continued innovations and improvements, with input from active practitioners. Reviews the two most prevalent approaches: superscalar, which has come to dominate the microprocessor design field, including the widely used Pentium; and EPIC, seen in the IA-64 architecture of Intel' s Itanium. Views systems from both the architectural and organizational perspectives. Includes coverage of critical topics, such as bus organization, computer arithmetic, I/O modules, RISC, memory, and parallel processors. For professionals in computer product marketing or information system configuration and maintenance.

WILLIAM STALLINGS has made a unique contribution to understanding the broad sweep of technical developments in computer networking and computer architecture. He has authored 17 titles, plus revised editions, for a total of 37 books on various aspects of these subjects. He has three times received the award for best Computer Science Textbook of the Year from the Text and Academic Authors Association (Computer Organization and Architecture, Prentice Hall, 1996; Data and Computer Communications, Prentice Hall, 1997; Operating Systems, Prentice Hall, 1998). In over 20 years in the field, Dr. Stallings has been a technical contributor, technical manager and an executive with several high-technology firms. Currently he is an independent consultant whose clients have included computer and networking manufacturers and customers, software development firms and leading-edge government research institutions. Dr. Stallings is a frequent lecturer and a regular contributor to technical journals and trade publications. Dr. Stallings holds a Ph.D. from MIT in computer science and a B.S. from Notre Dame in electrical engineering.