NAND to Tetris study group
Details
ABOUT STUDY GROUP
What I hear, I forget;
What I see, I remember;
What I do, I understand.
— Confucius, 551-479 BC
A typical CS/SE student is marshaled through a series of courses in programming, theory, and engineering, without pausing to appreciate the beauty of the picture at large. And the picture at large is such that hardware and software systems are tightly interrelated through a hidden web of abstractions, interfaces, and contract-based implementations. Failure to see this intricate enterprise in the flesh leaves many students and professionals with an uneasy feeling that they don’t fully understand what’s going on inside computers.
The best way to understand how computers work is to build one from scratch. And that’s exactly what you get to do in our Nand2Tetris study group.
MEETING AGENDA
6:30 - 7:00 pm Study group launch and Q&A.
7:00 - 7:30 pm Set up the software required for the course.
8:00 - 9:00 pm Meet & greet at Tacos & Tequila Cantina (10952 Eagle Village Dr Suite 425D, Fort Myers, FL 33913).
HOMEWORK for the MEETING*
- Read the Preface of The Elements of Computing Systems, 2nd Edition.
- Enroll in Build a modern computer from first principles: from NAND to Tetris at https://www.coursera.org/learn/build-a-computer and watch Introduction videos (Module 0 / Unit 0).
If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit.
*All homework for this study group is optional but encouraged if you wish to make the most out of it.
WHAT TO BRING A laptop and/or a copy of The Elements of Computing Systems, Second Edition – Building a Modern Computer from First Principles by Noam Nisan and Shimon Schocken (available from major book retailers).
NOTE The event will be hosted in hybrid format.
FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDEES
The event will be held on the FGCU campus, in Holmes Hall, Room 224.
Please reference the map for parking and building location: https://www.fgcu.edu/campusmap/
On-campus directions for parking:
1. Enter campus using FGCU Blvd.
2. At the stop sign, turn left.
3. Parking garage #4 is on the right-hand side.
4. Park anywhere in the garage.
FOR VIRTUAL ATTENDEES
The day before the event, a link to join via Zoom will be sent to all the group members registered for the event.