self-taught dev seeks computer science
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Yesterday I got on the idea of learning basic Computer Science things (data structures, algorithms, etc) and I started looking for a book. I become afflicted with this idea every year or so. :rolleyes: I found all the normal ones like Introduction to Algorithms (The MIT Press) 3rd Edition, Kindle Edition by Thomas H. Cormen (Author), Charles E. Leiserson (Author), Ronald L. Rivest (Author), Clifford Stein [^] But that is way too mathy for me. I like math but I like it to be applied. Anyways, I wanted to really see Big O explained and tied to specific algorithms. I wanted to start out relative simply but not treat me like I'm totally ignorant. I stumbled upon this book from the Pragmatic Programmer publishers... A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms: Level Up Your Core Programming Skills[^] I devoured the first 4 chapters and it is amazing. Definitely check this one out. I'm so excited about it. I feel like I'm really putting the concepts together. This one is going into the Top 5 All-time Best books on programming. Seriously up there with Petzold Windows programming. After reading those first 4 chapters I actually understand what O(1), O(N), O(log N) and O(N^2) mean. I even understand them in relation to algorithms. The author connects them to the algos and shows graphs of time / efficiency and it is absolutely clear and
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I have read bits and pieces of Grokking Algorithms[^]. It seems like a very good intro for people who prefer a more visual approach.