Top Algorithm Design Book Recommendations for Non-CS Programmers

[ice109]

can someone recommend a good algorithm design book? like the end all be all of algo design? so that i don't have to read anything else cause I'm not a cs major just someone who wants to be decent at programming

 

[chroot]

This is probably the "standard" algorithms textbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0262032937/?tag=pfamazon01-20

You might want to wander over to your local university library or bookstore and see which books they have to offer. You'll probably find one that fits your needs.

- Warren

 

[mgb_phys]

Possibly the most accesible is "The Algorithm Design Manual"

 

[jim mcnamara]

It depends on what you want to do. Carmen or Robert Sedgewick are what you get in an Algorithms class at University.

Do you code for food now? If so, you need to read, starting now, keep on until you die.
Start with 'Art of Programming' by Knuth. If you just want a more nearly cookbook approach Knuth is not for you. Consider Carmen or Robert Sedgewick (two books). If you are into doing maths, consider Numerical Recipes in C.

The problem is that you cannot predict what you employer will want 5 years from now. It's nice to say, "yes, I've seen that and can do basic things with <fill in the blank>".
It's known as being indespensible.

 

[ice109]

don't code for money yet. something more theoretical would be nice, i know knuth invented tex so i trust his book will be decent so i'll check that out.

wait assembly? do i need to know assembly to be able to read this book?

 

[jim mcnamara]

Not really - go to a library and check out volume 1. See if you can read it.
Tex is based on the concept of Metafont - which is the basis for truetype fonts for example.

 

[mgb_phys]

wait assembly? do i need to know assembly to be able to read this book?

You can't really understand how a computer program works without understanding assembler.
TAOCP is written using an assembly language for an imaginary processor which only exists for examples in the book. The new edition uses a new RISC imaginary processor.
That's the good news, the bad news is that if you think the idea of examples in an imaginary assembly language is complicated - wait until you see what the book actaully covers using it !