Book · 1999 · Computers
Code
The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software
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Code by Petzold. Classic. I just love it. It's just such a great read. It's also for non-techies and it's the first thing I recommend if anybody ask me, "What's your job?
Why people recommend it
Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold is an accessible exploration of how computers work, tracing the journey from basic electrical circuits and switches to modern computing systems. On The Pragmatic Engineer podcast during the episode titled Building Pi, and what makes self-modifying software so fascinating, released on April 29, 2026, Armin Ronacher recommended the book. Ronacher described the publication as an absolute classic and expressed his fondness for it, calling it such a great read. Furthermore, he noted that the book was well-suited for non-techies who wanted to understand the underlying mechanics of technology. Ronacher shared that it was consistently the very first thing he recommended to anyone who asked him to explain what his job entailed. By demystifying complex technical concepts through everyday inventions like flashlights and telegraphs, Petzold's book serves as an ideal gateway for curious minds seeking to comprehend the digital world.
Every mention
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker1
“Code by Petzold. Classic. I just love it. It's just such a great read. It's also for non-techies and it's the first thing I recommend if anybody ask me, "What's your job?"”