[ql-users] Sources

[Christopher Cave]

In-Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tim Swenson suggested, inter alia, the following book when I 
originally asked about books on computing:

The Elements of Programming Style Kernighan and Plaugher

I got it from the British Library and am attempting to devour it 
in a month. But really, I need a copy by my side to keep me on 
the straight and narrow of good programming. I reckon it to be a 
seriously good book - thanks Tim.

Funny thing is that it was around back in the 1970-80s just when 
I was writing Fortran and PL/I. Would have done me and others a 
lot of good then.

Christopher Cave

Re: [ql-users] Sources

[Timothy Swenson]

At 07:51 PM 2/7/2002 +, you wrote:
In-Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tim Swenson suggested, inter alia, the following book when I
originally asked about books on computing:

The Elements of Programming Style Kernighan and Plaugher

Here's a link that has a summary of the lessons in the book.

http://users.erols.com/blilly/programming/The_Elements_of_Programming_Style. 
html

I don't know if any of your local libraries have old book sales, but this 
is a great source for older books that are computing classics.

At one time I had a spare copy of this book, I must have already passed it 
on to another QLer.

Tim Swenson

Re: [ql-users] Sources

[Malcolm Cadman]

In article [EMAIL PROTECTED], Timothy
Swenson [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes
At 04:32 PM 12/23/2001 +, you wrote:
If you get time then try a visit to Dillions bookshop ... I have found
this in the past to be a treasure of all the latest in computer related
texts.

Latest does not necessarily mean good.  I find that most modern computer 
books fall into two categories:

1 - Good thought out volumes on a particular computer program, language, or 
technology.

2 - Worthless 500 page tome with the nutritional value of sugary breakfast 
cereal.

Most O'Reilly books fall in the first category.  They are full of good 
technical information that is aimed at the programmer or System 
Administrator.  They cover topics like Perl, Apache, DNS, Cisco routers, 
etc. Most are about an inch thick.  I've been buying O'Reilly books for 
about 11 years and have about 30 so far.

The others are these Java in 24 hours tomes put out by publishers like 
Que, that are 3-4 inches think and are pretty much worthless.  They are 
aimed at the new guy to computers and are glitzy enough to catch the 
attention of the new guy.  They seem to think that the greater the word 
count, the better the book must be.

There are probably a few books on the last 10 years that might eventually 
become classics.  There is a web page called Joel of software where this 
guy talks about books and such, but he is mostly talking about 
User-Interface books.

 clip of good advice 

Like everything there are books to suit all tastes and abilities.  I
agree that there will be few 'classics' amongst them ... yet word soon
gets around about which are best.

Knowing Chris Cave ... he will require the new ones with a good depth of
understanding.  Anyone know of any that they have enjoyed and benefited
from ?

-- 
Malcolm Cadman

[ql-users] Sources

[Christopher Cave]

In-Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tim

Thanks for your list but I'm betting that every generation 
produces its own and I'd like to see what (much) more recent 
graduates then I would look at. Tho' I have been told by an 
economics professor that today's students don't actually buy and 
read books!

It would be pretty bad news if no-one felt they had anything new 
to say on these issues.

Christopher Cave