Exploring Computer Science with Scheme (Undergraduate Texts in Computer Science) [Paperback]

Oliver Grillmeyer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1441928553 | ISBN-13: 978-1441928559 | Publication Date: December 1, 2010

A presentation of the central and basic concepts, techniques, and tools of computer science, with the emphasis on presenting a problem-solving approach and on providing a survey of all of the most important topics covered in degree programmes. Scheme is used throughout as the programming language and the author stresses a functional programming approach to create simple functions so as to obtain the desired programming goal. Such simple functions are easily tested individually, which greatly helps in producing programs that work correctly first time. Throughout, the author aids to writing programs, and makes liberal use of boxes with "Mistakes to Avoid." Programming examples include: * abstracting a problem; * creating pseudo code as an intermediate solution; * top-down and bottom-up design; * building procedural and data abstractions; * writing progams in modules which are easily testable. Numerous exercises help readers test their understanding of the material and develop ideas in greater depth, making this an ideal first course for all students coming to computer science for the first time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 579 pages
• Publisher: Springer (December 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1441928553
• ISBN-13: 978-1441928559
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 10 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,566,565 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

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent university teaching tool, August 21, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Berkely, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring Computer Science with Scheme (Undergraduate Texts in Computer Science) (Hardcover)

I was a former teaching assistant this past summer for a lower division computer science course at UC Berkeley. We used this book as our primary text. From several semesters of teaching introductory computer science courses I can say that this book has proven to be an indispensible item for me. Ranging from concise writing to thought provoking questions, it is an excellent introduction to future computer scientists. I recommend this to anyone.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to Computer Science, not just to programming, August 12, 2002

By 

Fernando Rodriguez (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploring Computer Science with Scheme (Undergraduate Texts in Computer Science) (Hardcover)

The first part of this book will give the basic programming `how to' knowledge: Common abstractions and basic program design.

The second part introduces Computer Science and will show you what others have been doing with the techniques explained in the first part. It will give a panoramic view of modern CS: databases, operating systems, artificial intelligence, compilers, `soft-computing', etc...

Only the chapter on compilers seems a bit confusing, everything else is clearly explained.

You won't need a good background in maths to follow it.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book for beginner., August 17, 2011

By 

JC - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Exploring Computer Science with Scheme (Undergraduate Texts in Computer Science) (Hardcover)

If you are new to Scheme, this book might be a great source for you. Exploring Computer Science with Scheme, by Oliver Grillmeyer (Springer)is an introductory programming book for people who want to learn more about scheme.

If you want to challenge yourself at more advanced level, I would recommend you to read Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (SICP) from MIT.
[...]