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Chapman & Hall/CRC Textbooks in Computing
The Tao of Computing
Describing both the practical details of interest to students and the high-level concepts and abstractions highlighted by faculty, The Tao of Computing, Second Edition presents a comprehensive introduction to computers and computer technology. This edition updates its popular predecessor with new research exercises and expanded discussion questions.
It uses a question-and-answer format to provide thoughtful answers to the many practical questions that students have about computing. Among the questions answered, the book explains:
What capabilities computers have in helping people solve problems and what limitations need to be considered Why machines act the way they do What is involved in getting computers to interact with networks
The book offers a down-to-earth overview of fundamental computer fluency topics, from the basics of how a computer is organized and an overview of operating systems to a description of how the Internet works. The second edition describes new technological advances including social media applications and RSS feeds.
It uses a question-and-answer format to provide thoughtful answers to the many practical questions that students have about computing. Among the questions answered, the book explains:
What capabilities computers have in helping people solve problems and what limitations need to be considered Why machines act the way they do What is involved in getting computers to interact with networks
The book offers a down-to-earth overview of fundamental computer fluency topics, from the basics of how a computer is organized and an overview of operating systems to a description of how the Internet works. The second edition describes new technological advances including social media applications and RSS feeds.
555 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2004
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December 3, 2014
This book covers many aspects of computers both practical and esoteric: how computers work, their roles and what all those acronyms mean.
It is designed as a text with the explication followed by discussion questions and such; however, this is a good book for non-students to peruse. The explanations are made in response to assorted questions a user might ask.
The title could be misleading for some readers. Except for some discussion about ethics and whether computers can be considered intelligent, this is not a book which constantly evokes spiritual issues. It is not the same as "Tao of Physics" or "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." There is no attempt to find parallels with eastern mysticism.
However, it does seem to touch on the many basic principles of computers and so is tao-like in that sense.
It is designed as a text with the explication followed by discussion questions and such; however, this is a good book for non-students to peruse. The explanations are made in response to assorted questions a user might ask.
The title could be misleading for some readers. Except for some discussion about ethics and whether computers can be considered intelligent, this is not a book which constantly evokes spiritual issues. It is not the same as "Tao of Physics" or "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." There is no attempt to find parallels with eastern mysticism.
However, it does seem to touch on the many basic principles of computers and so is tao-like in that sense.
Displaying 1 of 1 review