The Algorithm Design Manual [Hardcover]

Steven S. Skiena (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1848000693 | ISBN-13: 978-1848000698 | Publication Date: July 26, 2008 | Edition: 2nd

This expanded and updated second edition of a classic bestseller continues to take the "mystery" out of designing and analyzing algorithms and their efficacy and efficiency. Expanding on the highly successful formula of the first edition, the book now serves as the primary textbook of choice for any algorithm design course while maintaining its status as the premier practical reference guide to algorithms. NEW: (1) Incorporates twice the tutorial material and exercises. (2) Provides full online support for lecturers, and a completely updated and improved website component with lecture slides, audio and video. (3) Contains a highly unique catalog of the 75 most important algorithmic problems. (4) Includes new "war stories" and "interview problems", relating experiences from real-world applications. Written by a well-known, IEEE Computer Science teaching-award winner, this new edition is an essential learning tool for students needing a solid grounding in algorithms, as well as a uniquely comprehensive text/reference for professionals.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Aus den Rezensionen zur 2. Auflage : "… Skiena … präsentiert … einen umfangreichen Katalog wichtiger Konzepte aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen … Jedes einzelne Verfahren stellt er als kompaktes Rezept vor und konzentriert sich dabei auf die Anwendung … Skienas Schreibstil bleibt trotz der akademisch anspruchsvollen Materie lebendig und außerdem humorvoll. Häufig bettet er Geschichten in den Text ein, die er als Software-Entwickler erlebt hat. Sie sollen den Einsatz der vorgestellten Verfahren in der Praxis veranschaulichen. Viele Übungsaufgaben und ein umfangreiches Online-Angebot für Lehrkräfte runden das positive Bild ab." (Maik Schmidt in: c't - magazin für computer technik, 2009, Issue 1, S. 196)

From the Back Cover

....The most comprehensive guide to designing practical and efficient algorithms!.... The Algorithm Design Manual, Second Edition "...the book is an algorithm-implementation treasure trove, and putting all of these implementations in one place was no small feat. The list of implementations [and] extensive bibliography make the book an invaluable resource for everyone interested in the subject." --ACM Computing Reviews "It has all the right ingredients: rich contents, friendly, personal language, subtle humor, the right references, and a plethora of pointers to resources." -- P. Takis Metaxas, Wellesley College "This is the most approachable book on algorithms I have." -- Megan Squire, Elon University, USA This newly expanded and updated second edition of the best-selling classic continues to take the "mystery" out of designing algorithms, and analyzing their efficacy and efficiency. Expanding on the first edition, the book now serves as the primary textbook of choice for algorithm design courses while maintaining its status as the premier practical reference guide to algorithms for programmers, researchers, and students. The reader-friendly Algorithm Design Manual provides straightforward access to combinatorial algorithms technology, stressing design over analysis. The first part, Techniques, provides accessible instruction on methods for designing and analyzing computer algorithms. The second part, Resources, is intended for browsing and reference, and comprises the catalog of algorithmic resources, implementations and an extensive bibliography. NEW to the second edition: • Doubles the tutorial material and exercises over the first edition • Provides full online support for lecturers, and a completely updated and improved website component with lecture slides, audio and video • Contains a unique catalog identifying the 75 algorithmic problems that arise most often in practice, leading the reader down the right path to solve them • Includes several NEW "war stories" relating experiences from real-world applications • Provides up-to-date links leading to the very best algorithm implementations available in C, C++, and Java ADDITIONAL Learning Tools: • Exercises include "job interview problems" from major software companies • Highlighted take-home lesson boxes emphasize essential concepts • Provides comprehensive references to both survey articles and the primary literature • Exercises point to relevant programming contest challenge problems • Many algorithms presented with actual code (written in C) as well as pseudo-code • A full set of lecture slides and additional material available at www.algorist.com Written by a well-known algorithms researcher who received the IEEE Computer Science and Engineering Teaching Award, this new edition of The Algorithm Design Manual is an essential learning tool for students needing a solid grounding in algorithms, as well as a special text/reference for professionals who need an authoritative and insightful guide. Professor Skiena is also author of the popular Springer text, Programming Challenges: The Programming Contest Training Manual.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 752 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 2nd edition (July 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1848000693
• ISBN-13: 978-1848000698
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Software Engineering > Design Tools & Techniques
  • #46 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Algorithms

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could be called "The Joy of Algorithms", December 31, 2009

By 

George H. (Wilmington Delaware) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Algorithm Design Manual (Hardcover)

My Dad loved to cook and one of his favorite cookbooks was "The Joy of Cooking." By the time he died, the pages of his copy were stained and dusted with flour from being constantly used in his kitchen.

Why did he like it so much? Because not only did it have great recipes, it also explored the basic ingredients and methods and told interesting stories about cooking.

That's why "The Algorithm Design Manual" could be called "The Joy of Algorithms." Not only has it become my "goto" book for finding the right algorithmic approach to a problem, it is a joy to read with Skiena's "war stories" and his lively writing style.

Just like my Dad's "The Joy of Cooking" was never far from his stove, "The Algorithm Design Manual" will never be far from my computer.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Maybe a beginner book, but not for comp sci novices!, October 3, 2010

By 

E. Jones (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Algorithm Design Manual (Kindle Edition)

I've got the Cormen book as well, which I love. This book is a much more readable text, by far. I think that others here have broken down the areas covered quite well; so I'll just give a stream of consciousness version of what I liked about the book.

It gives the subject matter with from a need to know standpoint. It also gives you real world examples of how the author has had to utilize algorithms not just to implement a particular solution, but to also optimize existing solutions. Although it doesn't give the hardcore theoretical breakdowns in Cormen's text, don't think that the subject matter is presented in a lightweight format. You will still be given some level of mathematical proof for some algorithms and data structure optimizations.

Although less terse than the typical text on Algorithms, it doesn't try too hard to be cute and quirky. The humor is well placed and not too overbearing.

Though less academic than "Introduction To Algorithms", this ain't the book to pickup to learn about coding algorithms for a quick study prior to an interview. However, if you're planning to get ready for interviews maybe a few months down the road...go for it!

A caveat...I got the Kindle version for the Android, which is none too forgiving when it comes to images. So diagrams look horrible on the phone (even with the DroidX's big-assed screen). It looks fine on the laptop, however.

Enjoy!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well organized details, June 6, 2009

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Tech Book Addict (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Algorithm Design Manual (Hardcover)

I needed to understand some best fit algorithms and alternatives without reading a whole numbing book. The organization of this book and the right level of detail help me get there.