Live data from Hacker News

Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set

amazon.com

31–40 of 59 posts

Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set

#31
These books are more than a status symbols for aggressive learners. I've poured through many chapters in these books and it really challenged me and continues to solidify a lot of concepts about computer programming.

I particularly remember enjoying being enlightened on where Big-O came from and what is really means in the mathematical world. Really helps me derive Big-O notations from my programs.

Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set

#34
post #2

Probably more of a status symbol for most people. How many of you actually read these books carefully?

I have to admit I haven't read the books, lower head in shame. It was too expensive when I was a poor student. Interestingly years later at work there were some Romanian exchange students doing summer internship. When they left, we bought gifts for them. A coworker and I bought the 3rd Volume to give to one of them. That really made her day.

Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set

#35
post #33

Anyone know if these are all updated to the RISC system, or is that still in progress?

That's still in progress (and, given that Knuth is more than seventy years old and still has at least 3 books to go before he will begin to revise them, odds are such a revised set will never be released).

Re: Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set

#38
post #2

Probably 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.

That's pretty reasonable with MIX, given that it's a terrible language that was obsolete before it was invented and that all the algorithms are described in English as well.
Post reply on HN