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Yet another book thread...

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:40 pm
by nielsene
What are your essential general purpose programming books? No How-to-program-X-in-21 days type books, ie avoid books that "only" teach a languange.

My list:
Structure and Interpretations of Computer Programs aka SICP by Sussman, and Abelson

Introduction to Algorithms aka CLR(S) by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein

The Art of Programming: Vol I-III by Knuth

Introduction to Database Systems by Date

While I don't refer to most them often anymore, these are the most important books I ever bought for my computer science/programming education. All of them are more theory based, than case-study based, but all are extremely practical in terms of gaining experience solving problems and understanding the underlying technologies.

While I don't think I'd recommend any of these to the complete beginner, anyone who's been using PHP for a few weeks should probably think about working their way though some of these. Probably starting with with the Database book or CLR or equivilents. SICP definately takes some dedication to understand.

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2003 11:18 am
by JPlush76
"PHP for dummies"
and "PHP while gardening: fun times in the yard"