The RISC-V Reader: An Open Architecture Atlas / Patterson, David

The RISC-V Reader is a concise introduction and reference for embedded systems programmers, students, and the curious to a modern, popular, open architecture. RISC-V spans from the cheapest 32-bit embedded microcontroller to the fastest 64-bit cloud computer. The text shows how RISC-V followed the good ideas of past architectures while avoiding their mistake.

Highlights include:

• Introduces the RISC-V instruction set in only 100 pages, including 75 figures
• An Instruction Translator Guide to help translate assembly language programs from ARM-32 and x86-32 instruction sets to RISC-V
• 2-page RISC-V Reference Card that summarizes all instructions
• 50-page Instruction Glossary that defines every instruction in detail
• 75 spotlights of good architecture design using margin icons
• 50 sidebars with interesting commentary and RISC-V history
• 25 quotes to pass along wisdom of noted scientists and engineers

Ten chapters introduce each component of the modular RISC-V instruction set--often contrasting code compiled from C to RISC-V versus the older ARM, Intel, and MIPS architectures--but readers can start programming after Chapter 2.

Praise for The RISC-V Reader:

• “This timely book concisely describes the simple, free and open RISC-V ISA that is experiencing rapid uptake in many different computing sectors.” Krste Asanovic, University of California, Berkeley, one of the four architects of RISC-V
• “I like RISC-V and this book as they are elegant—brief, to the point, and complete.” C. Gordon Bell, a computer architecture pioneer
• “ This handy little book effortlessly summarizes all the essential elements of the RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture, a perfect reference guide for students and practitioners alike.” Professor Randy Katz, University of California, Berkeley, one of the inventors of RAID storage systems
• “This clearly-written book offers a good introduction to RISC-V, augmented with insightful comments on its evolutionary history and comparisons with other familiar architectures.” John Mashey, one of the designers of the MIPS architecture
• “This book tells what RISC-V can do and why its designers chose to endow it with those abilities.” Ivan Sutherland, the father of computer graphics
• “RISC-V will change the world, and this book will help you become part of that change.” Professor Michael B. Taylor, University of Washington
• “This book will be an invaluable reference for anyone working with the RISC-V ISA.” Megan Wachs, PhD, SiFive Engineer