What is the Best Data Structures Book for Learning Computer Science?

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The discussion revolves around the search for a more engaging and concise book on data structures, as the participant found their current textbook, "Data Abstraction and Problem Solving in Java," to be overly verbose and dull. They express a lack of understanding of the broader concept of computer science, questioning whether it is merely about programming and efficiency in algorithms and data structures. Recommendations include the O'Reilly 'Head First' series, though it is noted that it may appeal more to younger audiences. The conversation also highlights the importance of learning data structures alongside algorithms, with classic texts like "Introduction to Algorithms" by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein, and "The Algorithm Design Manual" by Skiena being suggested as alternatives. The participant is looking for a textbook that balances accessibility and depth, ideally between the styles of the 'Head First' series and Donald Knuth's works.
SpartanG345
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Hello

I have used Data Abstraction and Problem solving in Java Walls and mirrors, for my 1st data structures course

I found i didn't use it that much at all, it pretty wordy and quite boring to read. Can anyone recommend me a good book for data structures?

Basically in the course we went through heaps of data structures and it got kind of boring...

I also did not really understand what computer 'science' is about in particular the science aspect. Is computer science simply about understanding efficiency and various algorithms and data structures? I still have the feeling computer science is about learning how to program.

does anyone know a really good data structure book, that is concise, interesting or at least not tedious that explains everything in the context of computer science
 
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They don't actually have a data structures book though.

why would you say it is annoying to anyone over 17.

I guess it is aimed for young people.
So far i haven't actually 'read' my data structures book normally i just research the data structure on the internet Sometimes I find that quicker. And most of the time diagrams on the lecture notes were sufficient to explain how the data structure works.

I did well during for my data structures course at uni, i enjoyed implementing some of the data structures, but i get the feeling that Computer Science is not just about programming. I am mainly looking for a replacement book that is more concise so i can sell my other book
 
Perhaps I'm old and boring enough not to want my textbooks to be "like totally kewl and L33T", something between head first and Knuth would be ideal!

Generally data structures are taught along with the algorithms to manipulate them -
Introduction to Algorithms, C-L-R is pretty much the classic. There is also the algorithm design manual by Skiena
 
Horowitz and Sahni.
 

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