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The Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-3 Boxed Set
(Art of Computer Programming)
by
Knuth's classic work has been widely acclaimed as one of the most influential works in the field of computer science. For the first time, these books are available as a boxed, three-volume set. The handsome slipcase makes this set an ideal gift for the recent computer science graduate or professional programmer. Offering a description of classical computer science, this mu
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Boxed Set - Hardcover, 3rd Edition, 896 pages
Published
October 15th 1998
by Addison-Wesley Professional
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Perfection itself. Every few months I have to go back to my Knuth for some forgotten analysis or modeling, and it's always a savory treat -- I know no other books so dense and overflowing with rare and obscenely useful tricks, so immense in their scope and successful in coverage thereof; there's really nothing approachable in computer science or, so far as I know, in any field (the Hilbert-Courant volumes or Thorne's Gravitation might compare, if their subjects weren't so much vaster than comput
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The mouseover to Randall's cartoon says:
'Dear Reader: Enclosed is a cheque for 98 cents. Using your work, I have proved this equals the amount you requested.'
Nick provides a proper review...http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Oh. It's full of jokes, by the way. Just as well I didn't have my cup of tea in hand when I came upon this one:
4. [M50] Prove that when n is an integer, n > 2, the equation xn + yn = zn has no solution in positive integers x, y, z. (NB the book was published in the 1960 ...more

As programmers, this is our bible, along with "A method of programming" by E. W. Dijkstra, which somehow manages to condense into its few pages most of what Knuth expresses in these three (now four) large volumes. Nevertheless, "The Art of Computer Programming" represents an absolute in terms of exposition of the process: no programmer should be without the knowledge contained within. Where Dijkstra, the European, represents a terse, quick method of thinking with huge leaps of intuition, fierce
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The definitive work on programming; without a doubt there is no more important book on Computer Science. However, it's almost totally impenetrable. I haven't read even a quarter of this, and fully understood much less, but that's nothing to be ashamed of, as probably no one else has either. All the examples are in a made up assembly language, and Knuth invented his own typesetting system to publish it, which became widespread and famous.
The perfect Coffee table book. ...more
The perfect Coffee table book. ...more

The book is an excellent read, and I'm quite certain it has contributed a great deal to helping me imrpove as a professional. I can't recommend it enough, especially for SENIOR developers. I'm not sure about junior developers though.
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Say hello to the monograph on computer programming. Don't roll your own without it.
I expect this'll be on my "currently reading" shelf for a few years. It's not exactly quick going. ...more
I expect this'll be on my "currently reading" shelf for a few years. It's not exactly quick going. ...more

Some people consider these books a sort of bible for computer programmers. I wouldn't go so far. A bible always assumes some form of religion. And that would make the author a kind of deity, a pedestal upon which he certainly would not want to be put. If you like to read a "bible-ish" book by Donald Knuth read 3:16.
I learned a great deal from these books. As a poor student I could only afford to buy Volume 3 (Sorting and Searching). The other two I borrowed or read directly at the library (while ...more
I learned a great deal from these books. As a poor student I could only afford to buy Volume 3 (Sorting and Searching). The other two I borrowed or read directly at the library (while ...more

I got the first edition of this book more than 10 years back. I have read (and re-read) the series in book in parts over the years, and every time I was impressed by the scholarly mastery and precision of the author. This arguably, is `the' most important text in computer science.
AOCP, along with Computer Algorithms by Corman, Leiserson and Rivest are the first books I turn to whenever I have an upcoming challenge or interview. Pinnacle of Precision!
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AOCP, along with Computer Algorithms by Corman, Leiserson and Rivest are the first books I turn to whenever I have an upcoming challenge or interview. Pinnacle of Precision!
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Oct 18, 2008
Ali Kalantari
is currently reading it
Reading it as a book for Advanced programming reference. But I think I'll read it completely when it's last day of my life
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I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I could. If you ever thought writing a piece of code is eerily similar to painting.. or writing a poem, this is the book for you.
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Jul 24, 2008
Weloytty
added it
This is one of those sets of books you put on your shelf so that people will recognize you as a Serious Programmer. I don't know anyone who has actually READ them, other than college students who were forced to do it. I actually used it as a reference once when I was writing a sort, but then I tossed my code and used library code, because when it comes down to it, who wants to write a sort by yourself???
I've read some other stuff Knuth has written, and he's actually a pretty good author. I would ...more
I've read some other stuff Knuth has written, and he's actually a pretty good author. I would ...more

I haven't read these all the way through mind you, but these books along with the five Fascicles make up the greatest programing reference available, not for any language mind you, but programing in general, meta-programing if you well. Algorithms galore, sorting, and searching, and etc. If your looking for a solution to a programing problem its probibly here. Required for intermediate level skill and up, not for beginners.
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Sep 08, 2010
Curtis Schofield
marked it as to-read
I'm going to order this to hold up my monitor and then hold the inner world and dream a dream with you.
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What's old is new again; techniques developed for Memory Drum and Tape based machines that fell out of favor are showing their worth again in data heavy and cloud based environments.
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Ok, so there are very few people who have 'read' this. But I've had this for years and still reach for it for reference and just browsing.
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Best algorithms reference out there, though it's often quite dense & it's useful to cross-reference with something simpler, like Algorithms in a Nutshell.
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Oct 16, 2007
Brandon Ferguson
marked it as to-read
What I learned? That I need more freaking math and I shouldn't expect to read more than 10-20 pages in a given sitting. =D
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Oct 21, 2008
DJ
marked it as to-read
yet another foundational text in computing

Dec 27, 2008
Sachin
marked it as to-read
Never I get to cover more than Page 1...
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Donald Ervin Knuth, born January 10th 1938, is a renowned computer scientist and Professor Emeritus of the Art of Computer Programming at Stanford University.
Author of the seminal multi-volume work The Art of Computer Programming ("TAOCP"), Knuth has been called the "father" of the analysis of algorithms, contributing to the development of, and systematizing formal mathematical techniques for, the ...more
Author of the seminal multi-volume work The Art of Computer Programming ("TAOCP"), Knuth has been called the "father" of the analysis of algorithms, contributing to the development of, and systematizing formal mathematical techniques for, the ...more
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Art of Computer Programming
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