Books/Resources for Self Study - Algorithms?

[gibberingmouther]

I have a book called "Grokking Algorithms", and when I'm done with my current tabletop game project I plan to work through this as much as it seems worthwhile to do so.

I was not at my best when I took the class that corresponds to what's in this book, so I figure it would be good to study it further. It's basically a data structures/algorithms textbook with a lot of pictures and diagrams. I want to get better with linked lists, pointers, and that sort of thing. Basically I figure if I understand the theory better and do some code examples I'll be much more comfortable with these kind of important programming building blocks.

I think I'll have time to do this, and even a little more, before I graduate. Do you guys have any suggestions for how I could further develop understanding that will help with being a more skillful programmer? This seems like a good place to ask because I think the people here who know about programming are more science and math oriented, like I am.

 

[Klystron]

I recently read a computer science book such as you describe, The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos. While not a textbook, the author provides a decent review and explanation of machine learning touching on linked lists, Markov chains, and probability theory.

Perhaps other computer scientists will respond as my list of CS/math textbooks is dated. This C programming book covers pointers as implemented in the language.

 

[Wrichik Basu]

If you want to learn data structures and Algorithms, the best books in the field are those by Donald Knuth. The name of the series is "The Art of Computer Programming".

@QuantumQuest has an insight post: Intro to Data Structures for programming. Have a look at it. In addition, he will be able to site more books on Algorithms and data structures.

 

[QuantumQuest]

Algorithms and data structures is the most fundamental thing for a programmer albeit unfortunately overlooked and understated in many cases. I would definitely recommend the classic CLRS book even for self study. Additionally, I would recommend "Algorithms in C" by Robert Sedgewick, if you want to go through C language or "Algorithms in C++" by the same author, if you prefer the C++ way. There is also a whole lot of other good books on the subject. You can take a look at my insights Intro to Algorithms for Programming and Intro to Data Structures for Programming. I also have a number of recommended books and resources there. Two online courses that I highly recommend is "Algorithms Design and Analysis" Part 1 & 2 of Stanford by Tim Roughgarden and "Algorithms" Part I and II of Princeton, at Coursera - instructor is Robert Sedgewick.

In order to become a more skillful programmer, you have also to spend many hours to analyze, design, develop and debug code, develop some good programming habits like structuring / beautifying your code, write purposeful comments, utilize what is already tested / approved in the programming world, be it a library, a framework, a tool or whatever relevant to the task at hand and reinvent the wheel only for personal enlightenment. Although you may already be doing many if not all of these things I think that you may find something useful in this list.

 

[Wrichik Basu]

After what has been written in #4, there is little to add. Anyways, this is a video course:

Data Structures and Algorithms (NPTEL)

Not quite sure which programming language is used. Check it out once.