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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for data structures books suitable for learning computer science. Participants express their experiences with existing texts and seek alternatives that are engaging and concise.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant found "Data Abstraction and Problem Solving in Java" to be wordy and boring, prompting a search for a more engaging data structures book.
  • Another participant suggests the O'Reilly 'Head First' series as a less tedious option, although they note it does not specifically cover data structures.
  • A different participant questions the appropriateness of the 'Head First' series for older readers, suggesting it may be aimed at younger audiences.
  • Some participants express that they often rely on online resources and lecture notes rather than textbooks for understanding data structures.
  • One participant mentions enjoying the implementation of data structures but feels that computer science encompasses more than just programming.
  • Another participant proposes a balance between engaging and rigorous texts, mentioning "Introduction to Algorithms" by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein, and "The Algorithm Design Manual" by Skiena as classic references.
  • A brief mention of "Horowitz and Sahni" as another potential resource for data structures is made.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single recommended book, and multiple competing views on the best approach to learning data structures are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the nature of computer science, particularly regarding its focus on efficiency and algorithms versus programming skills. There is also a lack of agreement on the ideal style and depth of textbooks for learning data structures.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in learning data structures, particularly those seeking engaging and concise resources, may find this discussion relevant.

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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