Arithmetic and Logic in Computer Systems

Preface

This book describes the fundamental principles of computer arithmetic. Algorithms for performing operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in digital computer systems are presented. The goal is to explain the concepts behind the algorithms rather than to address any direct applications. Alternative methods are examined and various possibilities considered. With the rapid growth of VLSI technology, some currently unattractive algorithms may be implemented with remarkable performance in the future.

This book can be used as a text of an introductory course for graduate students or senior undergraduate students in electrical engineering, and computer and mathematical sciences. It can also be used as a reference book for practicing engineers and computer scientists involved in the design, application and development of computer arithmetic units. For the number systems covered in Sections 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7, some exercise problems are listed in Chapters 9, 10 and 11 for in-depth study.

I have been teaching a computer arithmetic course for fifteen years and have supervised Doctorate and Masters research projects in this area. As a preliminary version of the book, my lecture notes have received positive and constructive feedback over the years. An effort has been made to keep fundamental material self-contained and instructive rather than just referring readers to articles spread throughout the literature. The theories in the book have been carefully derived ...