Focusing on the "must-know", this text provides one-volume coverage of the fundamentals of both digital electronics and microprocessors, helping the reader to become proficient at both the hardware and software aspects of microprocessor-based systems. It uses a simple, easy-to-understand writing style, an abundance of clearly explained examples, and nearly 1,000 illustrations to explain practical applications and problems using industry-standard ICs and circuits and schematics that the reader will encounter on the job. Important features of this text are many: coordinates digital/microprocessor coverage throughout the text; first provides all theory required to understand a particular IC or circuit, then gives examples of its use; includes examples and system design applications that give a complete explanation of circuit operation - with all required hardware and software, so they can be duplicated in the lab; uses the 8085A microprocessor and 8051 microcontroller to explain the fundamentals of microprocessor architecture, programming, and hardware; clearly explains the microprocessor program solutions for the 8085 and 8051; includes a glossary for each chapter; and contains a Supplementary Index of ICs and an Instruction Set Reference Encyclopedia. Complete with end-of-chapter summaries, numerous appendixes, and schematic interpretation problems (all of which are new to this second edition), this text is an essential source for the fundamentals of theory and applications.