The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 4, Fascicle 4: Generating All Trees--History of Combinatorial Generation

Art of Computer Programming

by Donald Ervin Knuth

Finally, after a wait of more than thirty-five years, the first part of Volume 4 is at last ready for publication. Check out the boxed set that brings together Volumes 1 - 4A in one elegant case, and offers the purchaser a $50 discount off the price of buying the four volumes individually. The Art of Computer Programming, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set, 3/e ISBN: 0321751043 Art of Computer Programming, Volume 4, Fascicle 4, The: Generating All Trees--History of Combinatorial Generation: Generating All Trees--History of Combinatorial Generation This multivolume work on the analysis of algorithms has long been recognized as the definitive description of classical computer science.The three complete volumes published to date already comprise a unique and invaluable resource in programming theory and practice. Countless readers have spoken about the profound personal influence of Knuth's writings. Scientists have marveled at the beauty and elegance of his analysis, while practicing programmers have successfully applied his cookbook solutions to their day-to-day problems. All have admired Knuth for the breadth, clarity, accuracy, and good humor found in his books. To begin the fourth and later volumes of the set, and to update parts of the existing three, Knuth has created a series of small books called fascicles, which will be published at regular intervals. Each fascicle will encompass a section or more of wholly new or revised material. Ultimately, the content of these fascicles will be rolled up into the comprehensive, final versions of each volume, and the enormous undertaking that began in 1962 will be complete. Volume 4, Fascicle 4 This latest fascicle covers the generation of all trees, a basic topic that has surprisingly rich ties to the first three volumes of "The Art of Computer Programming." In thoroughly discussing this well-known subject, while providing 124 new exercises, Knuth continues to build a firm foundation for programming. To that same end, this fascicle also covers the history of combinatorial generation. Spanning many centuries, across many parts of the world, Knuth tells a fascinating story of interest and relevance to every artful programmer, much of it never before told. The story even includes a touch of suspense: two problems that no one has yet been able to solve.
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Genres: Computer Science, Programming, Science, Computers, Nonfiction, Technology

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2006

About the author

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 rigorous analysis of the computational complexity of algorithms, and in the process popularizing asymptotic notation.

In addition to fundamental contributions in several branches of theoretical computer science, Knuth is the creator of the TeX computer typesetting system, the related METAFONT font definition language and rendering system, and the Computer Modern family of typefaces.

A prolific writer and scholar, Knuth created the WEB/CWEB computer programming systems designed to encourage and facilitate literate programming, and designed the MMIX instruction set architecture.

Reviews

[Abdellah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 4, Fascicle 4: Generating All Trees--History of Combinatorial Generation by Donald E. Knuth is a remarkable book that explores the fascinating topic of combinatorial generation.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on generating all trees, which is a critical topic in computer science and mathematics. It delves into the algorithms and techniques used to generate all possible trees for a given set of vertices, and explains how these techniques can be applied to other combinatorial problems.

The second part of the book provides a detailed history of combinatorial generation, tracing its roots back to the ancient Greeks and moving through the centuries to the present day. It is a fascinating journey through the development of mathematics and computer science, and provides insights into the challenges and breakthroughs that have led to the current state of the art.

One of the most impressive aspects of the book is the depth and breadth of the material covered. Knuth's writing is clear and concise, and he does an excellent job of explaining complex concepts in an accessible manner. The book is also well-organized, with clear headings and subheadings that make it easy to navigate.

Overall, The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 4, Fascicle 4: Generating All Trees--History of Combinatorial Generation is an outstanding book that is sure to be of interest to anyone interested in computer science, mathematics, or combinatorial generation. It is a valuable resource for researchers, students, and anyone interested in the history and development of this fascinating field.