
We all had that first computer book, the one that opened our eyes to the digital universe. Whether it taught coding, hardware, or just how to make a program run without error, it connected us to a shared experience: the wonder of learning something new and exciting for the very first time.
My first computer book was The Beginner's Computer Handbook: Understanding & Programming the Micro, published by Usborne. I received my copy a few years after its 1983 release, having won a competition and redeeming a book voucher. Below, I’ve posted a picture of the cover for reference:
Back then, my Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K+ felt like a portal to another world. Every line of BASIC I typed was a small adventure, each program a tiny triumph. When I later discovered text adventure games and tools like The Quill, I caught my first glimpse of what it meant to create worlds of my own. Yet through it all, that book remained the spark - the quiet, magical moment that made me believe the digital universe was not just something to explore, but something I could shape myself.
I'd love to hear from others in the DEV Community - what was your first computer book, the one that opened the door to your own digital adventures? Whether it sparked a love of coding, hardware, or game creation, those early pages hold a special kind of magic. Share your memories and let's celebrate those moments that made us fall in love with the digital universe for the very first time.