Includes bibliographical references (page 155) and index.

"Daniel Hillis offers an easy-to-follow explanation of how data is processed that makes the operation of a computer seem as straightforward as those of a bicycle." "Hillis proceeds from an outline of basic logic to clear descriptions of programming languages, algorithms and memory. He then takes readers in simple steps up to the most exciting developments in computing today - quantum computing, parallel computing, neural networks, and self-organizing systems."--,Jacket, 1998 edition.