# The Secret Life of Programs: Understand Computers, Craft Better Code

Understand Computers Craft: The Secret Life of Programs is a book about how software works on computer hardware and how that knowledge can inform better programming. Its topics span memory, language processing, browsers, efficient code and computer security basics.

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- Market: UK
- Language: en-GB
- Currency: GBP
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 35.38 GBP
- Previous price: 42.99 GBP
- Discount: 18%
- Price checked: 2026-11-14T09:50:53.381Z
- Rating: 4.7 / 5
- Reviews: 142

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## At a glance

- Explains how software behaves when running on hardware.
- Covers data in memory, language processing and how web browsers work.
- Also addresses efficient programs, computer security basics and practical considerations when writing code.

## Pros

- Connects programming concepts to the underlying computer hardware, which can help readers reason about how software runs.
- Combines topics from memory and language processing to browsers and security in one 500-page volume.

## Specifications

### Publication details
- Publisher: No Starch Press
- Publication date: 1 Aug. 2019
- Language: English
- Print length: 500 pages
- ISBN-10: 1593279701
- ISBN-13: 978-1593279707
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 1 kg
- Dimensions: 17.9 x 2.9 x 23.5 cm

## A good fit for

- Programmers who want to understand how computers execute software, beyond writing code alone.
- Readers looking for a broad introduction to memory, hardware, language processing and web browsers.

## Less suited to

- Readers seeking a focused guide to one programming language or a hands-on coding workbook. The supplied listing does not describe either.

## Customer feedback

Customer feedback praises the book's broad computer-science coverage and detailed explanations of computing architecture and hardware, and describes it as gentle and easy to read. That reported accessibility may suit readers building foundational understanding, while the subject range is relevant to programmers curious about how software runs. Aggregate ratings are largely positive, but do not establish that every reader will find the depth or style suitable.
- Positive themes: Customers praise its coverage of computer science and explanations of computing architecture and hardware.
- Positive themes: Customers describe it as gentle and easy to read.

## Frequently asked questions

### What subjects does The Secret Life of Programs cover?
The listing describes software running on hardware, data in memory, language processing, web browsers, efficient programming and computer security basics.
### Is this a practical programming book?
It focuses on understanding how programs run on computers and includes real-world considerations for writing code. The listing does not specify a programming language or a set of exercises.
### How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 500 pages.
### What language is the book in?
The listing identifies the language as English.

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## Images

![The Secret Life of Programs: Understand Computers, Craft Better Code — 1](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/2_lvb6eFf7HnlxXbiWTZbByODe6PU3_ZrtObBYfgF8mIaFrPDy5Q-hy2uFeLbKcxiaEpn2ZNHfXWXyVD7K8V2D4RxEup8TcBGhbp28a9ToXv6VFctyN1.jpg)