A Balanced Introduction to Computer Science

by David Reed

This carefully written, balanced book teaches the most important concepts in computing and computer science while providing enough programming depth to enable understanding about how people work with computers. Taking advantage of today's interest in and familiarity with the Web, the book contains experimental problems using Web-based tools; enabling readers to learn the fundamentals of programming by developing their own interactive Web pages. Beginning with an introduction, overview, and the basics of computers, the book proceeds with comprehensive chapters on HTML and Web pages, the Internet, JavaScript and Web page creation, the history of computers, abstraction and user-defined functions, algorithms and programming languages, event-driven programming, conditional execution, data representation, conditional repetition, JavaScript strings, and transistors and integrated circuits. This book can serve as an excellent reference resource for those entering the computer job programmers, Web site and Web page designers, and technical support staff.

Genres: Computer Science

371 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: David[7spaces]Reed

David Reed is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and the Director of Informatics & Computing Science in the Department of Journalism, Media & Computing at Creighton University.

Reviews

[Fyo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Okay overview, but I think it needed more explanation of some concepts. There are a good number of projects/examples but I got lost several times because I didn't understand what they demonstrated. This also might sound like a minor nitpick but the green color scheme inside made it difficult to read (I have bad eyesight so readability is important, especially when it's something I have to focus on and learn). Other than these complaints it wasn't too bad.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel kind of lame to count this towards My List of Books I Read This Year, but hey, I read through most of it and a book is a book.

It's a decent textbook introduction to computer science. Goes through the history, social, and technical of CS without getting too deep into any one of those topics.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much do I love computer programming? Enough to sign up for database systems next semester... This book is very understandable, even to the novice. It incorporates a good blend of history and technical knowledge.

[Giron]

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[Fatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

good