The Tomes of Delphi: Algorithms and Data Structures [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author) "For a book on algorithms, we have to make sure that we know what we are going to be discussing..." (more)
Key Phrases: controlling critical section, dummy head node, minimal standard random number generator, Jack Ace, King Queen, Jack King (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Delphi developer Julian Bucknall provides fellow developers a comprehensive overview of using algorithms and data structures from a practical perspective. Bucknall begins with a discussion of algorithm performance, and provides comprehensive coverage of such topics as arrays, linked lists, and binary trees. The book focuses on search algorithms—such as sequential and binary search—and sort algorithms—including bubble, insertion, Shell sort, quicksort, merge sort, and heapsort—along with techniques for optimization. Additionally, the author presents hashing and hash tables, priority queues, state machines and regular expressions, and data compression techniques such as Huffman and LZ77.

The companion CD contains the author’s highly successful freeware library EZDSL, source code compatible with all versions of Delphi and with Kylix, and executables from TurboPower Software Company.

About the Author

Julian Bucknall is director of programming at TurboPower Software Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He writes the monthly column Algorithms Alfresco in The Delphi Magazine, and is also the author of the freeware library EZDSL.

Product Details

• Paperback: 525 pages
• Publisher: Wordware Publishing, Inc. (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556227361
• ISBN-13: 978-1556227363
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,425,994 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait!, June 5, 2002

By	Bob Swart (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This is a book that I've been waiting for for a long time (according to the acknowledgements, Julian has worked on it from April 1999 until February 2001, probably even longer). But it has been worth it, because it's an excellent book about algorithms and data structures implemented in Delphi (and Kylix) - usually version independent.

The book consists of 12 chapters. But even before the first chapter Julian takes on the question of "why a book on Delphi algorithms?" in the introduction. He explains that a number of Computer Science algorithms books are hardly practical, and the practical books are mainly for C, C++, or Java. This is a book about algorithms and data structures using Delphi (for Windows, but also Kylix for Linux), with a lot of focus on practical and useful techniques that make sense.

A great plus is that the code in the book works for every version of Delphi and Kylix (and probably also in C++Builder), and I'm fairly confident it will remain working in the next version(s) of Delphi and Kylix to come. A bonus point is the syntax high-lighting in the source code listings. A small effort for the author/publisher, but a great help for the reader who sees the source code for the first time.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of Gems, January 28, 2002

By	A. Jackson (Southwest MO, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is packed full of gems of wisdom that transcend Delphi. It's not just about algorithms, data structures and Delphi - it's about the science of computing and it's about being a good programmer. As a C++ developer (primarily) with an eye on Delphi I found that this book really made me think about how I program and how I solve problems. I have read dozens of books on C++, Pascal, Delphi, COM, DCOM, C# and .NET, many of them very good. But this is one of those rare books that goes beyond teaching you a particular technology. It will help you become a better problem solver and it will help you write better code. You will not be disappointed in adding this book to your personal library. Ten spring cleanings from now, when you're developing in whatever the current technology flavor of the month is at the time, this book will still be on your shelf - and it won't have any dust on it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have book on algorithms!, July 10, 2001

By	P. Bruno (Montréal, QC Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just received this morning the book "Algorithms and Data Structures" and could not take my eyes out of it! I skipped lunch and did not take any break today until now! This is the book on algorithms I have been looking for since my university days! Julian Bucknall is an extraordinary writer, one who knows how to turn complicated concepts into beautiful simplicity! I wish more authors would have published texts of that quality on Delphi topics; it would have dismissed the improper idea that Delphi is not a serious language and that it cannot be used in serious programming... A must for any serious Delphi programmer!