An Invitation to Computer Science: Java Version, 3rd Edition

By G. Michael Schneider and Judith L. Gersting

This new edition of Invitation to Computer Science follows the breadth-first guidelines recommended by CC2001 to teach computer science topics from the ground up. The authors begin by showing that computer science is the study of algorithms, the central theme of the book, then move up the next five levels of the hierarchy: hardware, virtual machine, software, applications, and ethics. Utilizing rich pedagogy and a consistently engaging writing style, Schneider and Gersting provide students with a solid grounding in theoretical concepts, as well as important applications of computing and information technology. A laboratory manual and accompanying software is available as an optional bundle with this text.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1418836540
• ISBN13: 9781418836542
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Course Technology
• Length: 720 Pages
• Weight: 2.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 1.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Book and Service

Looks exactly how the description said it would. Also recieved the book sooner then I expected. Would buy from them again.

Programming Languages

An excellent text. This is a book if you wish to study Computer Science in general. It does cover the differences between programming languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN, C/C++, Ada, C#, and .NET. It explains a lot about algorithms, bulding blocks, computer systems organization, system software, computer networks, compilers and language translation, computation, databases, information security, artificial intelligence.

Listen not to idiots .. This book is as good as it gets !

What did you think my darling young ones ? That computer science is for the faint of heart..? That if you can set up a spreadsheet you can do Computer Science ? OF COURSE it is a brutal introduction ! Computer Science is a complex and demanding discipline and this book does a miracle of explanation. So what if the authors URL is non-functioning ?

As an initial overview of CS, this book is a winner!!

With a Master's Degree in Computer Science and over 7 years on the job experience, I can say this book is the best introductory book I have ever read. It refuses to allow one to dive too fast into "programming" and instead encourages a strong foundation of basic knowledge that underlies the field of Computer Science before one embarks into any individual programming language approach. The approach and content is appropriate, logical and laudable, and unfortunately rare among most text books in this area.

Very appropriate for first year CS/CIS majors....

I found the information presented in this book very appropriate and challenging for a first year university textbook....However, as with all university textbooks, it's priced too high.....