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Shimon Schocken

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Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course)

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

About this Course

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In this project-centered course you will build a modern software hierarchy, designed to enable the translation and execution of object-based, high-level languages on a bare-bone computer hardware platform. In particular, you will implement a virtual machine and a compiler for a simple, Java-like programming language, and you will develop a basic operating system that closes gaps between the high-level language and the underlying hardware platform. In the process, you will gain a deep, hands-on understanding of numerous topics in applied computer science, e.g. stack processing, parsing, code generation, and classical algorithms and data structures for memory management, vector graphics, input-output handling, and various other topics that lie at the very core of every modern computer system.
This is a self-contained course: all the knowledge necessary to succeed in the course and build the various systems will be given as part of the learning experience. The only prerequisite is knowledge of programming at the level acquired in introduction to computer science courses. All the software tools and materials that are necessary to complete the course will be supplied freely after you enrol in the course.

This course is accompanied by the textbook "The Elements of Computing Systems" (Nisan and Schocken, MIT Press). While not required for taking the course, the book provides a convenient coverage of all the course topics. The book is available in either hardcopy or ebook form, and MIT Press is offering a 30% discount off the cover price by using the discount code MNTT30 at https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/elements-computing-systems. 

The course consists of six modules, each comprising a series of video lectures, and a project. You will need about 2-3 hours to watch each module's lectures, and about 15 hours to complete each one of the six projects. The course can be completed in six weeks, but you are welcome to take it at your own pace. You can watch a TED talk about this course by Googling "nand2tetris TED talk". 

*About Project-Centered Courses: Project-centered courses are designed to help you complete a personally meaningful real-world project, with your instructor and a community of learners with similar goals providing guidance and suggestions along the way. By actively applying new concepts as you learn, you’ll master the course content more efficiently; you’ll also get a head start on using the skills you gain to make positive changes in your life and career. When you complete the course, you’ll have a finished project that you’ll be proud to use and share.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 90 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Computer Architecture
Compiler Construction
Compiler
Operating System

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 90 hours to complete

English

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Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.96/5 (86 Ratings)

Shimon Schocken
Top Instructor

Offered by

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Ranked among the top academic and research institutions worldwide, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's leading university and premier research institution. Serving 23,000 students from 70 countries, the Hebrew University produces a third of Israel’s civilian research and is ranked 12th worldwide in biotechnology patent filings and commercial development. The Hebrew University was founded in 1918 by visionaries including Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Martin Buber and Chaim Weizmann. It is located on three campuses in Jerusalem and a fourth in Rehovot. Visit the website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en. Join our online learners community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/hujimooc/.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(3,536 ratings)

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Getting Started

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 26 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

8 hours to complete

Machine Language

8 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 187 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

10 videos

Unit 0.0: Machine Language Primer7m

Unit 0.1: Machine Language Overview12m

Unit 0.2: Machine Language Elements17m

Unit 0.3: The Hack Computer and Machine Language15m

Unit 0.4: Hack Language Specification10m

Unit 0.5: Handling Input and Output26m

Unit 0.6: Low-Level Programming, Part I24m

Unit 0.7: Low-Level Programming, Part II21m

Unit 0.8: Low-Level Programming, Part III32m

Unit 0.9: Project 4 Overview19m

1 reading

Module Overview (start here)10m

13 hours to complete

Virtual Machine I: Stack Arithmetic

13 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 188 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

11 videos

Unit 1.0: The Road Ahead21m

Unit 1.1: Program Compilation Preview12m

Unit 1.2: VM Abstraction: the Stack15m

Unit 1.3: VM Abstraction: Memory Segments9m

Unit 1.4: VM Implementation: the Stack17m

Unit 1.5: VM Implementation: Memory Segments26m

Unit 1.6: The VM Emulator23m

Unit 1.7: VM Implementation on the Hack Platform8m

Unit 1.8: VM Translator: Proposed Implementation12m

Unit 1.9: Project 7: Building the VM Translator, Part I23m

Unit 1.10: Perspective17m

1 reading

Module Overview (start here)10m

Week

Week 2

13 hours to complete

Virtual Machine II: Program Control

13 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 166 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

10 videos

Unit 2.1: Program Control9m

Unit 2.2: Branching9m

Unit 2.3: Functions: Abstraction22m

Unit 2.4: Function Call and Return: Implementation Preview23m

Unit 2.5: Function Call and Return: Run-time Simulation16m

Unit 2.6: Function Call and Return Implementation25m

Unit 2.7: VM Implementation on the Hack Platform10m

Unit 2.8: VM Translator: Proposed Implementation9m

Unit 2.9: Project 8: Building the VM Translator, Part II26m

Unit 2.10: Perspective12m

1 reading

Module overview (start here)10m

Week

Week 3

13 hours to complete

High-Level Language

13 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 179 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

11 videos

Unit 3.1: The Jack Language in a nutshell10m

Unit 3.2: Object-Based Programming20m

Unit 3.3: List Processing21m

Unit 3.4: Jack Language Specification: Syntax5m

Unit 3.5: Jack Language Specification: Data Types8m

Unit 3.6: Jack Language Specification: Classes15m

Unit 3.7: Jack Language Specification: Methods18m

Unit 3.8: Developing Apps using the Jack language and OS18m

Unit 3.9: A Sample Jack App: Square Dance24m

Unit 3.10: Graphics Optimization21m

Unit 3.11: Perspective11m

1 reading

Module Overview (start here)10m

Week

Week 4

12 hours to complete

Compiler I: Syntax Analysis

12 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 131 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Reviews

4.9

147 reviews

5 stars
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TOP REVIEWS FROM BUILD A MODERN COMPUTER FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES: NAND TO TETRIS PART II (PROJECT-CENTERED COURSE)

by MSJan 14, 2018

This is by far one of the best online-courses I have completed. Thumbs up, it was well worth my time and it will definitely help me on my never-ending journey of becoming a better software developer.

by PJun 23, 2020

Amazing course. Learnt a lot, and goes in depth, in a very elegant manner, making concepts seem simple, and at the same time, difficult.

by MKDec 3, 2020

It really deepened my understanding of computers and helped me to be a better programmer. It is more challenging than the first part.

by NHFeb 5, 2022

It was a fun course, yet it's super involved! Please be sure to have a solid understanding of computer programming and computer science before you take this course!

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Do I have to take Nand to Tetris Part I before taking Nand to Tetris Part II?
Nand to Tetris Part I and Nand to Tetris Part II are two separate and stand alone courses. Although it is recommended to take Part I before taking Part II, you can take any of these courses, in any order that suites you.
How much computer science do I have to know before taking this course?
The only requirement is programming ability at the level acquired in typical introduction to computer science courses.
Which programming language do I have to use in order to complete the assignments in this course?
We expect learners to submit assignments in any version of Java, or Python. We will assume that you have basic programming ability in these languages, including a basic ability to understand and write simple object-based programs.
How many assignments do I have to submit in order to pass the course?
The course consists of 6 projects (programming assignments), numbered 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and an optional project, numbered 4. In order to pass the course you must submit at least 5 projects out of projects 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. (The project numbering scheme maintains consistency with the project numbers in the Nand to Tetris Part I course)

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course)

Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course)

About this Course

Skills you will gain