Books On Electronics For the Lay Programmer?

leoboiko writes "I'm a computer scientist and programmer with no training whatsoever in hardware or electronics. Sure, we designed a simple CPU (at a purely logical level) and learned about binary math and whatnot, and I can build a PC and stuff, but lately I've been wanting to, you know, solder something. Make my own cables, understand multimeters, perhaps assemble a simple robot or two. Play with hobbyist-level electronics. How does one go about educating oneself in this topic? I've been browsing Lessons in Electric Circuits online and it's been helpful, together with Misconceptions About 'Electricity' which went a long way in helping me finally to grok what electric charge and power actually are. I've reached the point where I want an actual dead-tree book, though. Any recommendations?"

Comments

Ahhh.... yes....

[Corporate Troll]

3 Scary things: A programmer with soldering iron, a manager who codes and a user who gets Ideas

Re:Ahhh.... yes....

[Cryacin]

3 Scary things: A programmer with soldering iron, a manager who codes and a user who gets Ideas V=IR
Programmer
function int getVoltage(I:int, R:int)
{
var int smoke=I*R;
return smoke;
}

Manager
function float cashCow(Idea myIdea)
{
var step1:String=myIdea.text;
var step2:String=null;
var step3:String="Profit!"

return 0.0;
}

User
What if I got rid of the off button?!? That would be MUCH SIMPLER!

Re:Bebop to the Boolean Boogie

[Anonymous Coward]

"Any grammar nazi's able to show me how to tidy up that link?"

No, but I'll gladly point out your misuse of the apostrophe.

Re:Community college

[somersault]

apply what you learn to larger projects "Right, I see the problem here. We're going to need a really big springy wire.."

Re:The Art of Electronics

[inflex]

Totally agree - I keep this book as a permanent fixture in the bathroom... many hours have passed and many things learned with that book in hand.

Re:Community college

[computational super]

Do they still make those kids' electronics kits

Yeah, I just saw one at Barnes and Noble in the kids section when I was there with my son last weekend. Unfortunately, they're for nine and up, and my son is only four... the truth is, I want the damned thing for myself, but I have to wait until he's nine and pretend I got it for him and do all the projects after everybody else is in bed.