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

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

From the Back Cover

Features

* Updates students on recent changes and current trends in the industry, such as networking, genetic algorithms and object-oriented programming
* Puts learning in perspective by using real-life analogies and concrete examples to make even the most complex topics accessible to students
* Web site provides students and instructors with online resources of topics found in the text
* New and extended ethical sections in software engineering and database systems, in addition to optional "Computers and Society" sections at the end of each chapter, allow students to think critically about computer science issues
* Designed to be compatible with a variety of programming languages, including Java, C++, and C
* "FYI" boxes call out points of interest to students and professors
* Brookshear's clear and friendly writing style invites majors and non-majors alike to learn more about computer science
020135747XB04062001 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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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: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #849,782 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "An Overview!!!!!!!!", March 12, 2005

By	C. L. Messina (Columbus, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

First, some quick advice to those who found the book too basic or general: read the title if you can't make it to page one of the preface! This book is an overview of computer science. You can't expect it to be "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" + "Introduction to Algorithms, 2nd ed" + "Principles of Compiler Design" + "C Primer Plus", etc. . . If you're looking for that kind of topic depth refer to books that specialize in certain topics. If the book is too basic for you then you simply shouldn't be reading it. I don't think that's any reason to slam it though.

As for the intended audience (i.e. true computer newbies) this is your starting point. I haven't read the 8th edition and am not sure how the 7th might be improved upon other than perhaps a little more depth in the database section. This book will not teach you how to program in C, how to build a compiler or how to perform a SQL query. It will tell you what you need to know to move onto these and other computer science areas sensibly as well as point you toward the best sources of topical info (i.e. the golden books of computer science) for further study should you wish to make a career of it. This study approach is truly advantageous because you avoid basic computer science knowledge gaps and start with a better framework for topical studies and specilization. If you take the other route (e.g. grab a "learn to program in 10 minutes" book and just 'go at it') you stand to miss details that will come back to haunt you later in your career as you make mistakes yet are uncertain where your knowledge gaps lie.

MIT Comp Sci students typically skip this course and begin with the more technical "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs"- truly a great place to start. For those of you who haven't been immersed in computers for the last half of your lives, this book is your stepping stone, a great foundation and a very enjoyable read. My advice is to start with this book then use its references to explore the computer science topics (i.e. languages, architecture, A.I., etc.) that interest you. You'll start on much more solid ground than those who just 'jump on in' and keep going until they (and their programs) crash.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Non-Programming Computer Science Overview, March 8, 2000

By	A. Scudiero (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Computer Science: An Overview (6th Edition) (Paperback)

This book provides the fundamentals of the Science behind computing and the machines called computers in a down to earth, straightforward, easy to understand manner. An absolute MUST READ for anyone who works with computers and computer science, and simple enough to understand that anyone interested in computers can read it. If you are interested in learning the details of how comptuers work but don't know much about them yet, this is a WONDERFUL place to start as it assumes no prior knowledge and FINALLY MEANS IT FOR ONCE! You can pick up this book having never seen a computer and understand it. It's about time!

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good survey--can it help with the GRE/CS?, July 29, 1999

By	Benjamin Wells (University of San Francisco) - See all my reviews

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

As noted by other reviewers, this book is a useful and usable broad survey for beginning CS and other interested students, and as such it deserves five stars. But I wish to describe it from a narrow perspective. Readers of another review of mine who sought help with the GRE/CS mentioned this book; I was surprised to find it now as a top match under Book Search: GRE Computer Science, because it makes no claim to prepare students for the GRE/CS, and it does not appear in the Full Result list. Given its elementary nature, can it help with the GRE/CS? A qualified YES, if the text and problems are studied thoroughly: it will definitely aid moving from a scores in the 500s to ones in the 600s, but I doubt it would help move from 700s to 800s. What it does is give the reader a positional sense of core concepts and techniques plus cover material in areas that typically appear on the GRE/CS but may lie beyond the average liberal-arts undergraduate required curriculum. The solutions go somewhat beyond answers, unlike the required ETS books (if you can get the old editions). The result should be quicker knowledge for factual questions on the exam, confidence to tackle more of the novel problems, and better discernment on which to leave unanswered.