As the support platform for Java, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is an important part of the computing infrastructure. In covering the organization and architecture of a real computer, this is the only book available that at once is easy to understand and follows modern design principles. KEY TOPICS: Teaches one of the only assembly languages still in reasonably widespread use - and presents a good background on many other machines once the basic JVM has been mastered. Takes a non-technical approach that makes material more accessible to non-specialists in humanities computing or information science. Covers a wide variety of real architectures, exposing readers to realistic examples of RISC vs. CISC, Harvard architectures, embedded systems, and more. MARKET: A useful reference for Java developers.