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Brian W. Kernighan

Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security, Second Edition Paperback – Illustrated, March 30, 2021

by Brian W. Kernighan (Author)

(4.7) 35 ratings

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A brand-new edition of the popular introductory textbook that explores how computer hardware, software, and networks work

Computers are everywhere. Some are highly visible, in laptops, tablets, cell phones, and smart watches. But most are invisible, like those in appliances, cars, medical equipment, transportation systems, power grids, and weapons. We never see the myriad computers that quietly collect, share, and sometimes leak personal data about us. Governments and companies increasingly use computers to monitor what we do. Social networks and advertisers know more about us than we should be comfortable with. Criminals have all-too-easy access to our data. Do we truly understand the power of computers in our world?

In this updated edition of Understanding the Digital World, Brian Kernighan explains how computer hardware, software, and networks work. Topics include how computers are built and how they compute; what programming is; how the Internet and web operate; and how all of these affect security, privacy, property, and other important social, political, and economic issues. Kernighan touches on fundamental ideas from computer science and some of the inherent limitations of computers, and new sections in the book explore Python programming, big data, machine learning, and much more. Numerous color illustrations, notes on sources for further exploration, and a glossary explaining technical terms and buzzwords are included.

Understanding the Digital World is a must-read for readers of all backgrounds who want to know more about computers and communications.

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Princeton University Press
Publication date

March 30, 2021
Dimensions

6.9 x 0.9 x 9.9 inches
ISBN-10

0691219109
ISBN-13

978-0691219103
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the clearest and simplest explanation of the world we now all depend on―how it works and why it does what it does―from one of our best-known inventors. Everyone on Earth needs to read it."―Eric Schmidt, former executive chairman of Alphabet Inc. and Google

“[Kernighan's] credentials as a computer scientist are stellar but what comes through in this book is a humanitarian concern about the place of technology in the modern world. . . . The grounding [the book] provides in the fundamentals of computing and how the technology interacts with our lives will remain relevant for a very long time.”―Steve Mansfield-Devine, Network Security

"This book takes the mystery out of computers and the Internet, and everyone can learn from it. With a friendly and accessible style, Kernighan connects what is happening inside machines to the news of the day and developments about the digital world."―Harry Lewis, coauthor of Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness after the Digital Explosion

"Kernighan tells us exactly what we need to know about computers and computer science, focusing on ideas that are useful and interesting for everyday computer users. He covers a fascinating range of topics, including fundamentals such as computer hardware, programming, algorithms, and networks, as well as politically charged issues related to government surveillance, privacy, and Internet neutrality."―John MacCormick, Dickinson College

"Understanding the Digital World provides a broad overview of computers and electronic communications for a general audience. The book flows smoothly from topic to topic, and readers from diverse backgrounds will find it accessible."―Bryan Respass, Bergen County Academies

About the Author

Brian W. Kernighan is a professor in the Department of Computer Science at Princeton University. His many books include Millions, Billions, Zillions (Princeton) and the computing classic The C Programming Language (Prentice Hall).

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press; Illustrated edition (March 30, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691219109
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691219103
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.85 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.9 x 0.9 x 9.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #835,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #445 in Privacy & Online Safety
- #555 in Cloud Computing (Books)
- #1,529 in Internet & Telecommunications

Customer Reviews:
(4.7) 35 ratings

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4.7 out of 5

35 global ratings

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AdaptableTerran

Wise Mentor

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 27, 2022

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This is a great book if you want to learn how computers and the Internet work. Mr. Kernighan explains the science behind computers in a way that's understandable and interesting. The book also covers important considerations regarding privacy, which other books completely skip.

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PhillyMusicLover

fantastic overview from a tech OG

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 24, 2022

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I’ve read both the first and second editions of this book, the second edition is rewritten for the most part and is very current (2022).

Highly recommend for someone who wants a high level introduction to computers and technology

2 people found this helpful

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Chandler R Law

Excellent introduction to computing

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 10, 2021

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For the past couple of years I've been co-teaching a course that draws both engineers and policy-minded students. For the policy-minded students, many of whom have little acquaintance with computers except as users, this book is excellent. The engineers may not learn much new technically, but this book can still broaden their perspective on the field. The first edition was very good and the second edition improves on it. Get the paperback.

2 people found this helpful

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Archie McKenzie

Excellent

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 28, 2021

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Interesting and well-written. Even those who know nothing about the digital world will find something in this book, as long as they’re interested.

上田浩志

コンピュータの基礎を知るための好書

Reviewed in Japan 🇯🇵 on April 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

タイトルが異なる前作は手作り感満載，改訂した初版はハードカバーで嵩張るし重いし，今回の第二版ペーパーバックは，しっくりスマートで良い感じ。やや小さくなったかに見える，けれど初版と同じ大きさ。索引の終りがp.238 → 283だから45ページ増で，ちなみに索引が一ページ増し（最後にZubarev, Vasily 228とあるものの関連する記述は確かにp.228乍ら実際の文字列はp.266）。

でもやはり紙質が良過ぎる気がする。もっとザラザラした安っすい紙で良いのに。このテッカテカの紙では初版みたいに数年後にインクが隣のページに写ったりしないのか少し不安。それと，背を糊で留めただけなので，バラバラになりはせんかの危惧もある。Prentice Hallの『プログラミング言語C』は，今も背が割れずに丈夫な一方，バレたページを留める為のテープ貼りまくりな奴もある。

章立てで目立った変化は，第11章以降がPart IV: Dataとして独立し，第12章人工知能と機械学習が追加されたのと，第7章Learning to Programが，従来のJavaScriptと新たにPythonの二本立てになった。最初のプログラミング言語として自身が習う若しくは教えるなら，先生はPythonを使う由（p.80, 116）。これに伴い第5章の恒例add up numbersでは，Python版が附加された（pp.80-1）。

最後に細かいことなれど，頑ななgroffでのタイプセットのp.64で+14+...+3+の，下に点々が相変はらずで，ちょい残念。LaTeXの\dotsなら結果は違った筈。

4 people found this helpful

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