Re: [ql-users] Sources
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
[ql-users] Sources
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
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
Re: [ql-users] Sources
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. You might fine some good programming books at the local bookstore, but I would aim for a computer speciality book store or an on-line bookstore where the selection will be better. I still say, stick with the classics, they have proven themselves over the years. "Elements of Programming Style" has not change since it's second edition in 1978. Current prices are probably in the $20-$30 range (if not more). I was able to find an older copy at a used bookstore for 80 cents. I did the same with two of three Knuth books. Another way to find out what might be a current classic is to read current programming magazines, like Dr. Dobb's Journal, and see what books they keep refering too. I have not read DDJ is a number of hears (after having a subscription from '88 to '95). Tim Swenson
Re: [ql-users] Sources
In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Christopher Cave <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >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. 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. -- Malcolm Cadman
[ql-users] Sources
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
Re: [ql-users] Sources
Software tools only has two editions, one for Pascal and an earlier one using RATFOR (I think that stands for Rationalized Fortran). Looking at my programming bookshelf, here are some that you might find usefull. "The Elements of Programming Style" Kernighan and Plaugher "Programming Pearls" and "More Programming Pearls" Jon Bently Of course, the Knuth books "Art of Computer Programming", but very detailed. For programming projects, Brooks "Mythical Man Month" is pretty good. These are old classics that have been around for years and had the test of time. I don't know of any newer books that would be considered classics like these. Tim Swenson
[ql-users] Sources
As one of my sources for ways-to-do-things I use 'Software Tools in Pascal' by Kernighan&Plauger. Apart from its being in Pascal, this book must be dated. What, please, would be a more modern book with a C-orientation? Christopher Cave
