While not a reference book or software engineering book like the rest of the suggestions, I'll throw in Godel, Escher, Bach. It's pretty difficult to explain, but if you're deeply interested in computer science and want a challenging and mind-expanding read, it's an easy recommendation.
Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
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Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#12The Dream Machine is good for history and genealogy, much like the real Bible. Edit: It's more popular to ignore history, but you can find Shannon's information theory, As We May Think, Cybernetics, etc. along with historical context. It might keep you from pretending you have invented the wheel.
Also see the real Bible for the ultimate in practical lifehacks: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1&vers...
Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#13Look on Goodreads and Amazon for books with 4.2+ stars (preferrably 4.6+, but those are uncommon) ratings, then filter from there. They need to have a good number of reviews (to suggest they've been read some number of times).
Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#14The examples you give, for me, aren't computer science (TAOCP, SICP), but "pivotal technologies" (to those, I would, for example, add books about Algol, early Unix and git)
You may consider splitting your collection in three parts: those two and software engineering (examples: the mythical man-month, the psychology of computer programming), which itself can be split into a technical and a social part.
Doing that may show gaps in your library/where your interests lie.
Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#15While not a reference book or software engineering book like the rest of the suggestions, I'll throw in Godel, Escher, Bach. It's pretty difficult to explain, but if you're deeply interested in computer science and want a challenging and mind-expanding read, it's an easy recommendation.
The author's (Douglas R. Hofstadter) other two books (which kinda form a trilogy) are also great companions:
The Mind's I: Fantasies And Reflections On Self & Soul
I Am a Strange Loop
...and yes, they are all very challenging reads. On the "computer science" perspective, they are definitely worth reading if you are at all interested in machine learning, artificial intelligence, artificial (and actual) neural networks, and how these subjects relate to the "philosophy of mind" and similar related "hard problems" in CS and mathematics.
Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#16I would add Clean Code to the list just because the concepts are applicable to many languages
I think Code Complete is much better-Clean Code was more about (IIRC, feel free to correct) praising the glory of agile dev than good coding practices in general.
I also own Code Complete. Its a good book, but I think Clean Code is a little shorter and easier to digest.
Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#17I would add Clean Code to the list just because the concepts are applicable to many languages
I think Code Complete is much better-Clean Code was more about (IIRC, feel free to correct) praising the glory of agile dev than good coding practices in general.
I don't remember reading Clean Code, but reading Code Complete (in the '90s) was a real eye-opener for me. It's a very friendly book with practical advice that's still valid even after 2-3 decades...
Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#18Object Thinking by David West.
Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#19What's your background?
For CS, I'll concur with others on these (for algorithms):
Introduction to Algorithms, Cormen et al.
The Art of Computer Programming, Knuth
Introduction to the Theory of Computation, Sipser
Concrete Mathematics, Knuth et al.
My library is at home, I'm trying to run through what all I have and would recommend in particular of that collection.
On the practical, software engineering, side:
Mythical Man Month, Brooks
I am currently wracking my brain to recall the other titles, may edit later.
Re: Ask HN: What are the bibles of Computer Science?
#20The Psychology of Computer Programming by Gerald Weinberg. It considers programming as a human activity and introduces the concept of egoless programming.