Algorithms course material • Hacker News Board

Re: Algorithms course material

#11

Post by samdk » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 12:26 AM UTC

afterz wrote: post #9

What is a good book for learning about this subject? Knuth's? Any other recommendations?

I'll second Intro to Algorithms, which has been mentioned. It's what I used in my algorithms class and it's quite comprehensive. (It will also take you a while to get through.)

I've also heard The Algorithm Design Manual recommended, although I haven't read it and don't own a copy. http://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Manual-Steven-Skiena/...

Re: Algorithms course material

#12

Post by rw » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 2:09 AM UTC

afterz wrote: post #9

What is a good book for learning about this subject? Knuth's? Any other recommendations?

Also check out the (now free) Problems on Algorithms: http://www.eng.unt.edu/ian/books/free/license.html

Re: Algorithms course material

#13

Post by amitt » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 2:11 AM UTC

amohr wrote: post #5

Good link - I had Jeff for algorithms a couple years ago and he's a dedicated and passionate teacher.

I second that, I had him in '05 and specifically waited to take the class with him as the teacher. Was well worth it, he brings a sense of humor and style to teaching that turned an otherwise difficult class into an absolute joy.

Re: Algorithms course material

#14

Post by jcsalterego » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 3:34 AM UTC

jcsalterego wrote: post #6

amohr wrote: post #5

Good link - I had Jeff for algorithms a couple years ago and he's a dedicated and passionate teacher.

+1

To wit, I also had Jeff for algorithms a couple years ago and he is indeed a dedicated and passionate teacher. But thank you for your support, fellow HNers!

Re: Algorithms course material

#15

Post by mnadel » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 4:14 AM UTC

amohr wrote: post #5

Good link - I had Jeff for algorithms a couple years ago and he's a dedicated and passionate teacher.

I had Jeff his first semester at UIUC. He received a standing ovation the last day of class. He's _that_ good.

Re: Algorithms course material

#16

Post by jsolson » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 4:30 AM UTC

afterz wrote: post #9

What is a good book for learning about this subject? Knuth's? Any other recommendations?

Last I checked, Georgia Tech was using:

http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~vazirani/algorithms.html

for their intro algorithms class. I TA'd a semester with this book, and while it definitely has its warts it is much more compact and readable than CLRS.

Re: Algorithms course material

#17

Post by randliu » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 7:19 AM UTC

afterz wrote: post #9

What is a good book for learning about this subject? Knuth's? Any other recommendations?

I'd suggest Algorithm Design by Kleinberg and Tardos: http://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Jon-Kleinberg/dp/0321... , it's more readable than either CLRS or Dasgupta/Papadimitriou/Vazirani.

Re: Algorithms course material

#18

Post by awa » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 11:04 AM UTC

1331 wrote: post #10

afterz wrote: post #9

What is a good book for learning about this subject? Knuth's? Any other recommendations?

_Introduction to Algorithms_ (aka "CLRS") http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-Third-Thomas-C...

CLRS is the classic textbook for Algorithms... For some topics Klienberg and Tardos is good, I will suggest to read the CLRS text and keep K&T for topics you want to read more on, also the K&T problems are much harder (usually) than CLRS.