Computer Science: An Overview (8th Edition) [Paperback]

J. Glenn Brookshear (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321247264 | ISBN-13: 978-0321247261 | Publication Date: February 28, 2004 | Edition: 8

Now in its eighth edition, this book continues to provide a comprehensive, accessible, and up-to-date introduction to the dynamic field of computer science using a breadth-first approach. The table of contents and the text itself have been revised and expanded to reflect changes in the field, including the trend toward using Web and Internet Technology, the evolution of Objects, and the important growth in the field of databases. Specifically, chapter three from the previous edition has been expanded into two chapters. Chapter three will now only cover Operating Systems and the new chapter four will focus on Networks and the Internet. Anyone interested in gaining a thorough introduction to Computer Science.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 8 edition (February 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321247264
• ISBN-13: 978-0321247261
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,062,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice Overview, June 3, 2006

By 

Patrick "Student... always a student." (Mass, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Computer Science: An Overview (8th Edition) (Paperback)

After finishing a first year sequence in CS I felt like I had accomplished a lot.. yet something was missing and I didn't know what. Before this past year I had virtually no real CS exposure and was thrown into the curriculum and was practically forced to progress at their speed and rate. Once the spring semester was over I immediately began to read this book and found it to be a very enjoyable read. It's so broad and easy to absorb that out of its eleven chapters I would complete two or three chapters in one sitting. I found that it really filled in holes left having gone from no experience in CS to finishing a first year University level curriculum. For a complete newbie, some concepts may be out of range but I don't think that should deter you. For someone like me having at least a years experience in CS I found it be a nice supplement to what I already know and a nice reinforcer on subjects I needed review as well as small introductions to material I may have not seen or looked into before. Definately keeping it in the personal library.

4.0 out of 5 stars Explains a lot of the more difficult concepts, May 4, 2011

By 

Francisco Hernandez (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Computer Science: An Overview (8th Edition) (Paperback)

This is a pretty nice overview of the subject of computer science. Very easy to understand tone and not pretentious. Of course, this author has a 10th edition out or something like that. However, the general concepts and text are the same.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the reviewer that has trouble comprehending..., June 9, 2006

By 

C. Whelan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Computer Science: An Overview (8th Edition) (Paperback)

If one can't understand the style of writing maybe one should not be in a CS 100 level course or even close to the college level! If anything, as reviewed earlier, I found this style made it easier to read a CS text... as a lot of the texts are just too technical; but rightfully so. This text was a relief from the standard curriculum required reading. You think this is bad? Try an English Comp reading essay or assignment. CS needs more of this if the discipline expects to recruit a wider spectrum of students, as science and engineering is already scarce with students as it is. Bottom line, if you're used to the technical reading of the CS curriculum, this book will serve as a reading relief as it is a fast and EASY read. As another reviewer stated, one weekend and this book is finished. If your trouble with reading comprehension is severe enough you should not be reading CS material to begin with - take a course in English and read some extra-curricula novels to build up reading skills first, like fiction.