Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold

In "Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software", Charles Petzold embarks on a journey to dissect the inner workings of a computer — revealing the code and the design philosophies that allow these complex machines to operate.

Petzold starts from the ground up, using simple examples like flashing light patterns, Braille, and Morse code to explain binary systems before taking the reader through the development of hardware and software design, all the way from early computers to contemporary models.

Along the way, readers gain a deep understanding of how hardware and software coalesce to create the digital worlds we interact with every day. Concepts like data processing, programming languages, operating systems, and computer graphics are explored with clarity and insightful analogies, making this book an enlightening read for tech enthusiasts, budding programmers, and curious minds alike.

"Code" demystifies the wizardry that constitutes a modern computer, fostering a profound appreciation for the elegance and ingenuity that fuels the digital age.