Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#1

Post by ygd_coder » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 6:37 AM UTC

I can't say I'm exactly new to programming, but I'm new to writing algorithms that actually do something. I am a bit clueless at the moment, but I was wondering whether reading a textbook on the subject helps. I'm specifically considering "Introduction to the Design and Analysis of Algorithms (2nd Edition)" by Anany V. Levitin, or "Introduction to Algorithms (3d Edition)" by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein. Or both. Are these books any good? Are there other books I should read?

BTW: As far as programming languages go, I'm pretty fluent in Java and far into learning Python with plans to learn many more languages in the future.

Re: Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#2

Post by plinkplonk » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 7:06 AM UTC

Textbooks are about the only way to learn deep comp sci for someone (like me) who is self taught .

I don't know about the Levitin book, but the Cormen book is likely to be a little tough for someone just starting out. I would suggest Tardos and Kleinberg or Skiena's book (and once you are finished with those you can always come back to Cormen). Make sure you are comfortable deriving proofs before attempting Cormen. A lot of the value of the book is in its exercises and a lot of the exercises involve proving things.

So yes textbooks help, but in my experience they need to be the right textbooks in the right sequence. Good Luck!

Re: Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#3

Post by sarvesh » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 7:26 AM UTC

Yes textbooks do help. The Levitin book is good start. I would recommend reading Cormen et al after that. If you want to get serious about designing algorithms you should refer Donald Knuth's Art of Computer Programming, at least Volume 1.

Re: Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#4

Post by phugoid » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 8:03 AM UTC

I use Amazon.

Find a dozen books on a given topic, read the descriptions, reviews and ratings. Pick the one that fits your tastes, and read it. All.

Reading a textbook always helps. With experience, you'll get "luckier" at picking the right book.

Re: Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#5

Post by rw » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 9:29 AM UTC

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=665069

Re: Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#6

Post by yannis » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 10:21 AM UTC

Textbooks are the best source for CS. The web is actually very shallow when it comes to getting a real series of 'graded tutorials' and subject matter.

I try to buy my books from book stores. There is nothing like flipping through a book to assess it and is an ideal way to spend a couple of hours in a lazy afternoon. I envy people living in big Cities where the super book stores reside!

Re: Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#7

Post by billswift » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 10:27 AM UTC

yannis wrote: post #6

Textbooks are the best source for CS. The web is actually very shallow when it comes to getting a real series of 'graded tutorials' and subject matter. I try to buy my books from book stores. There is nothing like flipping through a book to assess it and is an ideal way to spend a couple of hours in a lazy afternoon. I envy people living in big Cities where the super book stores reside!

I agree wholeheartedly; I wrote a couple of posts a few months ago about the problems with web learning, the first is linked from the later one which is here: http://williambswift.blogspot.com/2009/04/overcoming-bias-an... .

EDIT: The first post actually does a better job of describing what the web currently is good for in learning.

Re: Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#8

Post by yannis » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 4:27 PM UTC

billswift wrote: post #7

yannis wrote: post #6

Textbooks are the best source for CS. The web is actually very shallow when it comes to getting a real series of 'graded tutorials' and subject matter. I try to buy my books from book stores. There is nothing like flipping through a book to assess it and is an ideal way to spend a couple of hours in a lazy afternoon. I envy people living in big Cities where the super book stores reside!

I agree wholeheartedly; I wrote a couple of posts a few months ago about the problems with web learning, the first is linked from the later one which is here: http://williambswift.blogspot.com/2009/04/overcoming-bias-an... . EDIT: The first post actually does a better job of describing what the web currently is good for in learning.

Excellent post hit the nail on the head. Besides the actual buying of a book from a bookstore has something of a religious feeling for me :)

Re: Ask HN: Do textbooks help?

#9

Post by ygd_coder » Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 6:04 PM UTC

phugoid wrote: post #4

I use Amazon. Find a dozen books on a given topic, read the descriptions, reviews and ratings. Pick the one that fits your tastes, and read it. All. Reading a textbook always helps. With experience, you'll get "luckier" at picking the right book.

That's what I did. I just wanted confirmation.