Customer Reviews

Fractals Visualization and J

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As a Computer Science major, and also hobbyist, I've worked with Q-Basic, C++, Java, HTML, but never had I worked with a language like J. I had enrolled in Professor Reiter's course with a moderate interest in the language and a strong interest in the math. I ended a course with a strong interest in the math and a stronger interest in using the language. Where else can you use a few simple characters with such efficiency and power?
The key for my increase in interest in the language was the usage demonstrated in this book. It's amazing the mathematical techniques and areas that can be explored using J. I'm only just beginning my career at Lafayette College, but I've been presented with many upper level ideas to explore, both within J and without. In presenting the ideas, Reiter does assume some mathematical background, but not so much that it is daunting. Rather, the background is simply used to explain what you do with the language. Even if you don't understand the math, the book still allows you to implement the J code and return the result.
In essence, this book teaches a person how they can create math "art", all with the use of a powerful and robust language. I advise all interested in computer science to read this book and see how a seemingly obscure programming language can be used to explore some very interesting areas of mathematics.