Probably more of a status symbol for most people. How many of you actually read these books carefully?
I use them as references probably more often than any other books I own. That said, I use the internets an order of magnitude more.
Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
11–20 of 59 posts
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
What's wrong with less cryptic books like these? http://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Jon-Kleinberg/dp/0321... http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-Third-Thomas-C...
Depth. I have read CLRS (the second book in your list); it's really great as an introductory text as it spans a lot of areas. For example, sorting/searching is a chapter in CLRS, while it's a volume in itself in TAOCP (The Art Of Computer Programming). Also, CLRS is written in the style of a textbook, rather than a reference and a newbie would find it easier to follow. And, TAOCP is more of an in-depth reference to p…
How many people need this level of depth?
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#13Probably more of a status symbol for most people. How many of you actually read these books carefully?
I've read parts of vol. 2, especially about random number generation. I found it in a library book sale for a quarter. THAT made my day. :)
I've found a suspiciously high percentage of the people who have totally! read the Art of Computer Programming are unable to answer even basic questions about MIX, by the way.
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#14Seriously, a list price of $249? Hardcover books are so damn expensive...
Sure and what do you get for the price of an iPod?
The life's work of the greatest genius in CS and a set of knowledge that will last you more than your lifetime.
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#15clicks on "Tell the Publisher! I’d like to read this book on Kindle"
So would I - but only if it looks as beautiful as the real thing. Anyway, don't most people buy those as shelf decorations?
Hardback edition $200
Kindle edition $100
Empty slipcase with fake spines to impress your friends $50
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#16BTW, I have an extra set of volumes 1-3 that I got by mistake, if someone's around Paris, mail me to get them. A poor student would be best :)
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
Depth. I have read CLRS (the second book in your list); it's really great as an introductory text as it spans a lot of areas. For example, sorting/searching is a chapter in CLRS, while it's a volume in itself in TAOCP (The Art Of Computer Programming). Also, CLRS is written in the style of a textbook, rather than a reference and a newbie would find it easier to follow. And, TAOCP is more of an in-depth reference to p…
How many people need this level of depth?
[deleted]
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
So would I - but only if it looks as beautiful as the real thing. Anyway, don't most people buy those as shelf decorations?
Hardback edition $200 Kindle edition $100 Empty slipcase with fake spines to impress your friends $50
Buy one real, so you can take it out.
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
Depth. I have read CLRS (the second book in your list); it's really great as an introductory text as it spans a lot of areas. For example, sorting/searching is a chapter in CLRS, while it's a volume in itself in TAOCP (The Art Of Computer Programming). Also, CLRS is written in the style of a textbook, rather than a reference and a newbie would find it easier to follow. And, TAOCP is more of an in-depth reference to p…
How many people need this level of depth?
A lot more than you would think - there are plenty of programmers out there that can't tell you the tradeoffs between the different approaches, and they can get away with it, because it appears to work (see thread synchronization, cross-site scripting, data-base injection, null pointers, pointer overflow, etc, etc) until somebody demonstrates that it doesn't.
Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set
#20Probably more of a status symbol for most people. How many of you actually read these books carefully?
I've read parts of vol. 2, especially about random number generation. I found it in a library book sale for a quarter. THAT made my day. :) I've found a suspiciously high percentage of the people who have totally! read the Art of Computer Programming are unable to answer even basic questions about MIX, by the way.
Well, they're difficult books to read to begin with. Knuth himself would be surprised if someone has read and understood them all. At the same time, I find they're hyped up a bit (like SICP). There are plenty of other really good algorithms books IMHO.