I need a good challenging book to read

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7 Replies - 1062 Views - Last Post: 16 September 2009 - 11:43 AM

#1 coden4fun  Icon User is offline

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I need a good challenging book to read

Posted 09 September 2009 - 11:46 AM

I would like a new programming book that will teach me some good stuff.

I don't want any language specific book.

Maybe one on algorithms, or using reusable code, or possibly organzing your code or making enterprise applications.

If anyone has a good book recommendation while I wait to get out of this ol' hospital please let me know.

thanks,
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#2 Core  Icon User is offline

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Re: I need a good challenging book to read

Posted 09 September 2009 - 11:49 AM

My recommendations would be Code Complete 2 and The Art of Computer Programming.

That would be definitely a nice and useful read. Just so you know, you need some calculus-level math knowledge before you start reading The Art of Computer Programming. Many of the algorithms presented in that set of books are explained using math samples.
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#3 coden4fun  Icon User is offline

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Re: I need a good challenging book to read

Posted 09 September 2009 - 11:59 AM

View PostCore, on 9 Sep, 2009 - 10:49 AM, said:

My recommendations would be Code Complete 2 and The Art of Computer Programming.

That would be definitely a nice and useful read. Just so you know, you need some calculus-level math knowledge before you start reading The Art of Computer Programming. Many of the algorithms presented in that set of books are explained using math samples.


EDIT: This has many volumes. Is one volume over the other any different, and offers more than the other? Can you read any volume without reading the previous volume?

Also, I have looked at the following The Pragmatic Programmer

Can anyone tell me if it's worth my time and money to invest in this book?

This post has been edited by coden4fun: 09 September 2009 - 12:05 PM

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#4 ForcedSterilizationsForAll  Icon User is offline

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Re: I need a good challenging book to read

Posted 09 September 2009 - 12:08 PM

I was going to recommend the following:

Atlas Shrugged
War and Peace
Ulysses


But then you said programming books.
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#5 Core  Icon User is offline

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Re: I need a good challenging book to read

Posted 09 September 2009 - 12:09 PM

Quote

Is one volume over the other any different, and offers more than the other? Can you read any volume without reading the previous volume?


Each volume describes a separate topic. And yes, you can start from any volume.
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Re: I need a good challenging book to read

Posted 09 September 2009 - 12:51 PM

Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
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#7 mostyfriedman  Icon User is offline

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Re: I need a good challenging book to read

Posted 09 September 2009 - 01:05 PM

Introduction to Algorithms
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#8 carltech  Icon User is offline

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Re: I need a good challenging book to read

Posted 16 September 2009 - 11:43 AM

The C++ Programming Language by Stroustrup, I liked the book for it's material but like many great minds he can't write worth a damn, eg. Einstein.

Oh sorry you said no lang specific books... he does go in depth on some nice algorithms though.

The Art of Computer Programming by Knuth. was good if you like a lot of math...it is pretty tricky though.

Write Great Code by Randall Hyde - Usually I don't like his stuff but this one was good since it helped with some optimization problems I had. I think the ebook might be free

Write Portable Code by Brian Hook - another one that I think may be free as an ebook...haven't had a chance to read it though but skimmed through some of it and looked promising

This post has been edited by carltech: 16 September 2009 - 11:53 AM

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