# The Elements of Computing Systems by Nisan and Schocken

5 Hacker News commenters recommended The Elements of Computing Systems by Nisan and Schocken and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** People recommend it for building a computer from logic gates up, which clarifies how computers, assemblers and compilers work. No recurring criticism was raised.

## Why people recommend it

- Clarifies how computers, assemblers, compilers work (1 comments): "It is probably the best thing I've done, in terms of understanding how computers, assemblers and compilers work" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47814649))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and Sussman](https://hackerapproved.com/p/structure-and-interpretation-of-computer-programs.md): 55 recommend
- [The Art of Computer Programming by Donald E. Knuth](https://hackerapproved.com/p/art-of-computer-programming.md): 28 recommend
- [Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and Sussman](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sicp.md): 12 recommend
- [Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by Nielsen and Chuang](https://hackerapproved.com/p/quantum-computation-and-quantum-information.md): 12 recommend
- [Digital Design and Computer Architecture by Harris and Harris](https://hackerapproved.com/p/digital-design-and-computer-architecture.md): 8 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/026214087X?tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/130825/9780262140874) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "The Elements of Computing Systems by Nisan and Schocken", https://hackerapproved.com/p/elements-of-computing-systems/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).