This is often considered the first book on computer programming. It was written for the EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) computer that began operation in 1949 as the world's first regularly operated stored program computer. The idea of a library of subroutines was developed for the EDSAC, and is described in this book. Maurice Wilkes lead the development of the EDSAC.
A completely revised edition, offering new design recipes for interactive programs and support for images as plain values, testing, event-driven programming, and even distributed programming. This introduction to programming places computer science at the core of a liberal arts education. Unlike other introductory books, it focuses on the program design process, presenting program design guidelines that show the reader how to analyze a problem statement, how to formulate concise goals, how to make up examples, how to develop an outline of the solution, how to finish the program, and how to test it. Because learning to design programs is about the study of principles and the acquisition of transferable skills, the text does not use an off-the-shelf industrial language but presents a tailor-made teaching language. For the same reason, it offers DrRacket, a programming environment for novices that supports playful, feedback-oriented learning. The environment grows with readers as they master the material in the book until it supports a full-fledged language for the whole spectrum of programming tasks. This second edition has been completely revised. While the book continues to teach a systematic approach to program design, the second edition introduces different design recipes for interactive programs with graphical interfaces and batch programs. It also enriches its design recipes for functions with numerous new hints. Finally, the teaching languages and their IDE now come with support for images as plain values, testing, event-driven programming, and even distributed programming.
Classic on practical methods of optimizing programs: This book gives practical advice on improving the efficiency (optimizing) programs and the limits there of. While showing how to trade off speed for space or vice-versa, the author points out the limits that can be expected to gain. His list of techniques is a collection of practical approaches rather than theoretical possibilities. At 158 pages (not counting index) this book is eminently readable, accessable and useful. Clearly written and well organized this is a book to keep on your shelf for when a program needs improving. It is also a book to read before a program as a reminder not to make things complicated with optimization that aren't needed.
"This book explores the many facets of the teaching profession as it relates to working with in-risk youth and helping them reach their full potential"--
