You should checkout https://teachyourselfcs.com/
Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
51–60 of 190 posts
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#52Not a book but https://teachyourselfcs.com/ if you want typical curriculum and also not a CS book but good book "Computer Science Fundamentals" (sneaky title, free online).
Although I recommend starting from "Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software". Coolest book ever.
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#53Take a look at the suggestions on https://teachyourselfcs.com/
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#54I'm currently going through TAOCP [1]. So far, seems pretty good (although I found one mistake in an exercise). Also, I can never recommend Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective [1] enough. (Also features a rare mistakes in an exercise or two, but that's detail.) And for network protocols, Comer's Internetworking with TCP/IP [3] was just great (you only need volume 1). I've read Stevens' books on socket and IP…
> although I found one mistake in an exercise
Check on Knuth's website to see if it's already been corrected. If not, you could get a prestigious Knuth reward cheque for finding an error.
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#55Textbooks are the old way to learn, but sometimes old is gold. Use videos for faster learning though. It’s pretty much learning on cruise mode.
I like videos for small topics as well, but I find reading much easier for hard to digest knowledge, personally
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#56Have you tried some of the old "Graphics Gems" series books yet? [1], [2], [3] They are not CS fundamentals but will help you out with the necessary concepts, math and algorithms for graphics programming and ray-tracing.
As others have mentioned any books on Data Structures & Algorithms are a must. [4], [5], [6]
However in my opinion, trying to understand CS fundamentals without undergoing some sort of formal education is a chore. You won't know what you are missing. Going through an established approved syllabus will give you a fuller understanding. But that is only if you are interested in the long haul.
There are a number of MOOCs that may fit the bill allowing you to slowly gather the knowledge without sacrificing too much time and focus on a day job to keep you going. I feel they are also great value for money for what you get. Some of them are from very reputable names if that is important. [7][8].
Since you have a B.Sc you can do the Masters level but there are also Bachelors level courses. [9]
1. https://www.amazon.com/Graphics-Gems-Andrew-S-Glassner/dp/01...
2. https://www.amazon.com/Graphics-Gems-II-IBM-No/dp/0120644819...
3. https://www.amazon.com/Graphics-Gems-No-3-David-Kirk/dp/0124...
4. https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-3rd-MIT-Press...
5. https://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-4th-Robert-Sedgewick/dp/03...
6. https://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Manual-Steven-Skiena...
7. https://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-of-computer-science-...
8. https://www.coursera.org/degrees/mcit-penn
9. https://www.coursera.org/degrees/bachelor-of-science-compute...
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#57I'm currently going through TAOCP [1]. So far, seems pretty good (although I found one mistake in an exercise). Also, I can never recommend Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective [1] enough. (Also features a rare mistakes in an exercise or two, but that's detail.) And for network protocols, Comer's Internetworking with TCP/IP [3] was just great (you only need volume 1). I've read Stevens' books on socket and IP…
If you mail Don Knuth about the error you found in TAOCP, he'll send you a check for $1 -- he used to do that, anyway. People tend not to cash the cheque, but keep it.
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#58I had a good relantionship with Segdewick's books, before being turned off by Cormen a few times. They are less math focused, and overall have a beginner friendliness to them. They won't take you by the hand an explain things like you are 5, but nevertheless they are more easy to digest. Also as a non-popular opinion in this current age, I recommend you to learn how to implement your algorithms in C, rather than an e…
I've actually implemented a few algorithms and containers in C, I agree with your advice on that front!
Were you referring to [Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach](https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/Sedgewic...)?
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#59Textbooks are the old way to learn, but sometimes old is gold. Use videos for faster learning though. It’s pretty much learning on cruise mode.
I find the opposite, I can pace myself with books, take notes in the margins, interact with the harder concepts, cruise through the easier ones. Answer the questions at the end of the book in-line, it feels much more interactive. Since I can physically visualize all the sections/chapters it's easier to skip around. Video is so linear and passive; I have to go at the pace of the video and it's harder move alinearly. A…
My chief problem with learning from videos is... videos progress at a linear rate, but I don't absorb concepts at a linear rate. And even when delivery_rate/absorption_rate is a constant, it's rarely 1. I often have to stop, reverse, flip pages back and forth to compare precedents with consequents -- none of which is feasible with video.
With books I can also stop and take notes or reflect on what I've learned. That's harder with video.
And of course fewer words are spoken on video than are written in a book with fewer concepts and fewer illustrations, and with more verbal miscues -- errors or omissions.
I also rely heavily on the index of a book to look up related topics and terms, as used by the author.
In subjects that are precise (like math or algorithms) I've found learning from books to be far superior to video.
That said, some videos are great, especially those that animate or visualize, like 3Blue1Brown and Khan Academy.
Re: Ask HN: I'm looking for a good book on the fundamentals of CS
#60I'm currently going through TAOCP [1]. So far, seems pretty good (although I found one mistake in an exercise). Also, I can never recommend Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective [1] enough. (Also features a rare mistakes in an exercise or two, but that's detail.) And for network protocols, Comer's Internetworking with TCP/IP [3] was just great (you only need volume 1). I've read Stevens' books on socket and IP…
God bless you. I tried reading the AOCP books and it's hard ... and I have a degree in CS
I found them extremely accessible, and I was a high-school dropout. (Admittedly a very late dropout, but a dropout nonetheless.) That was back when volume 4 didn't even exist as listicles yet. And, let's face it, the sheer size (and cost) of the thing, even then, was a bit intimidating, but there's nothing in it that can't be followed with a bit of algebra and the barest hint of what the kids these days call "pre-calculus". While it may be a bit of a slog to listen to Knuth, his writing is about as clear as it ever gets, things are laid out in a clear progression, and nothing jumps out at you suddenly without a clear buildup and foundation.