This book examines computer architecture, computability theory, and the
history of computers from the perspective of minimalist computing - a
framework in which the instruction set consists of a single instruction.
This approach is different than that taken in any other computer
architecture text, and it is a bold step. The audience for this book is
researchers, computer hardware engineers, software engineers, and
systems engineers who are looking for a fresh, unique perspective on
computer architecture. Upper division undergraduate students and early
graduate students studying computer architecture, computer organization,
or embedded systems will also find this book useful. A typical course
title might be "Special Topics in Computer Architecture." The
organization ofthe book is as follows. First, the reasons for studying
such an "esoteric" subject are given. Then, the history and evolution of
instruction sets is studied with an emphasis on how modern computing has
features ofone instruction computing. Also, previous computer systems
are reviewed to show how their features relate to one instruction
computers. Next, the primary forms of one instruction set computing are
examined. The theories of computation and of Turing machines are also
reviewed to examine the theoretical nature of one instruction computers.
Other processor architectures and instruction sets are then mapped into
single instructions to illustrate the features of both types of one
instruction computers. In doing so, the features of the processor being
mapped are highlighted.