The successful standard textbook on the fundamental building blocks and key architectural principles of today's computers covers topics from the logical bit to modern overall architecture. It includes switching functions, specific switching networks, the covering problem as an optimization task, circuits with delays, data representation in computers, programmable logic arrays, VLSI circuits and algorithms, an organizational chart of a von Neumann computer, the architecture and machine instructions of RISC computers, CISC processors, and computer control as well as system software. It also addresses basic concepts and models of parallel processing, parallel computer architectures, and computer networking technology, including the ISO reference model, data encoding, local area networks, and global networks. A set of slides for lecture preparation is available.