As you begin your journey to becoming a fully-fledged computer scientist, you’ll soon realize that books you can easily reference are a valuable asset.
If you want to learn Computer Science and you’re just starting out, you probably have a lot of questions. What programming languages should I learn? Is it enough to learn one or two programming languages to secure a good job at a big tech company? What other skills do I need, if any?
With so much information out there, aspiring software engineers can find it difficult to ferret out the valuable information from the rubbish.
How can I start learning computer science through books?
Reading computer science books for beginners is a great way to learn. By reading other people’s writing, you’ll get insight into various important concepts in computer science.
If you’re interested in getting into the industry, you’ll quickly realize that it’s not as easy as you think.
On the flip side, if you’ve already got a handle on the basics and feel you’re ready for a higher level challenge, more advanced books are available for you as well.
What To Look for In the Books While Purchasing?
Aside from the cost of the book, you’ll want to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. In particular, you’ll want to ensure the book you purchase will help you meet your learning goals.
That could include learning the basics or even brushing up on your skills to prepare for an interview at a technical job.
Of course, you’ll also want to ensure the book has good reviews. In addition, you want to make sure the book teaches you the concepts behind each piece of information.
Hands on experience is the best way to learn, but books can also be a great resource to continue to practice and learn after you’ve gained your initial experience.
If you’re interested in brushing up on your skills, you can get more information about various programs or technologies.
If you’re taking classes at a local university, you can also use the book to supplement the material you’re learning from in-class lectures and labs.
Points to Consider While Buying Computer Books?
One of the most important things you’ll want to consider is whether you’ll need a physical copy or a digital version of the book. Consider the number of books you have, and whether you are more likely to want to have one book an open, or many books in one place.
You might also consider investing in both a physical copy of the book and an e-version. If you’re reading a large number of books, it will be easier to keep track of everything in a digital platform.
You can simply drop the book into an e-reader for easy reference.
Know Where You’re Going with this Books
Another important factor to consider is whether you’re looking for books to learn computer science or perhaps looking to read some materials that will help you land a job.
If it’s the former, perhaps it would be best to read books on basic programming fundamentals, such as C++ or Java.
If you’re looking to learn how to get a job, books like Learning Python can help you with that. It might be a great benefit to read a book or two about computer science, as well as an interview training book, to ensure you’re ready to nail that interview.
When To Start Computer Science With Books?
The truth is, you’ll have to start at some point. To ease into the industry, you might want to start with programming books that will help you develop the skills needed to navigate various modules.
Maybe you’re interested in learning Computer Science for the purpose of building something you are passionate about. If so, you might also want to practice your coding skills to ensure you can put into practice immediately.
Whatever the case, you’ll first want to read through some foundational or introductory books, so you can start using your computer science knowledge to build things.
How to make use of your computer science books for beginner?
If you’re looking to get a job as a computer scientist, it’s up to you to figure out what skills you’ll need.
The good thing is, if you’re just getting started, you have loads of time to figure things out.
At a minimum, you should read the book or books provided by your school or your professors
If you’re looking to get a job as a computer scientist, it’s up to you to figure out what skills you’ll need.
The good thing is, if you’re just getting started, you have loads of time to figure things out.
At a minimum, you should read the book or books provided by your school or your professors.
Beyond what’s required, you should also consider reading some books on the technologies or modules that you are interested in using.
Is reading computer science books really that important?
The truth is, there’s no real shortcut to mastering computer science. Even if you graduate from school, you’ll have to continue to build your skills.
Reading computer science books, especially those related to the modules you’re working on, can help you hone the skills you’re developing.
You might also find people who are working on projects that interest you. Reading more about their experiences can help you fine tune your skills and learn how to engage with passionate people.
In addition, you will also get a broad view of the domain of computer science. Even if you’re only interested in one area, you’ll get a good idea of what’s currently available. This can provide you with the information needed to continue learning on your own.
Artificial Intelligence Basics by Tom Taulli
This product was recommended by Tom Taulli from ttaulli
AI is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. But the technology can be extremely complicated. So what to do? Well, the book Artificial Intelligence Basics provides a non-technical introduction. There is coverage of the key areas like machine learning, deep learning, NLP (Natural Language Processing) and even physical robots. The book also provides many practical case studies to show how to use the technology and implement it. All in all, when it comes to AI, you get a good overview of what you need to learn.
Computer Science Illuminated by Nell Dale
This product was recommended by Goutham Narayan from AndroidFist
Brilliant computer science textbook to familiarize with all the latest concepts as well as touching base on the growth of computing as a whole. The information is digested into many sections which are very easy to understand & learn from a beginners level to advanced. The added navigate 2 is perfect for learners who wish to choose online access to study material, knowledge cards and assignments. Great study tool!
A Handbook On Computer Science & It
This product was recommended by Goutham Narayan from AndroidFist
For Computer Science students this book is a primer of sorts . It gives a lot of information clearly and in a few words and to the point description of formulae and concepts. Fantastic tool for last minute preparation.
Learn CS Concepts with Scratch by Abhay B Joshi and Ravindra Pande
This product was recommended by Tim Bigknee from SightsAndInsights
This book is fantastic for individuals who have no prior knowledge of computer science or programming languages. It does a great job of breaking computer science down into small practice programs that won’t make anyone feel overwhelmed. You will learn concepts of computer programming and how to apply them. It’s an excellent place to start for anyone interested in computer science.
Don’t Teach Coding by Lindsey D. Handley
This product was recommended by Lindsey Handley from MetaCoders
Although this book is targeted at new computer science educators, it is designed to be an introductory book for anyone interested in the field of computer science. Don’t Teach Coding: Until You Read This Book provides readers with a deep-dive into critical computer science concepts, the history of computer science, the science of how your brain learns computer science, and why we all deserve to live in a world where everyone knows computer science. Beginning programmers will appreciate the coding exercises incorporated throughout the book, but will also gain invaluable insight into how to most effectively learn computer science.
Bullseye Breach by Greg Scott
This product was recommended by Greg Scott from Infrasupport Corporation
Bullseye Breach: Anatomy of an Electronic Break-In continues a proud tradition of using realistic fiction to teach real-world lessons. After overseas attackers steal forty million customer credit card numbers from Bullseye Stores over a busy Christmas shopping season, an ad-hoc team in Minneapolis finds a way to fight back. Bullseye Breach uses entertainment to teach how attackers exploit a thriving underground economy to find and plunder juicy targets via phishing, SQL injection, zero-day vulnerabilities, and other attack vectors, and what organizations can do about it. It’s one of the few computer science textbooks students will want to read cover-to-cover, because it’s structured as a novel instead of a textbook.
Automate the boring stuff with Python by Al Sweigart
This product was recommended by Ratnakar Shukla from Fossbytes
This is one of the best books that I recommend to everyone who is interested to learn python. This will not only let you clear your python basics but will also help you to build a working project.
Let Us C by Yashwant Kanetkar
This product was recommended by Ratnakar Shukla from Fossbytes
If you’re an absolute beginner and have no knowledge of programming, I would suggest you to start reading this awesome book. From basic ‘Hello World’ programs to ‘File Handling’, everything is explained so brilliantly in this book.
Learn Python The Hard Way by Zed A. Shaw
This product was recommended by Ratnakar Shukla from Fossbytes
Contrary to its name, this book is indeed the most basic book that anyone can start reading to learn python. The book puts a great emphasis on that old age saying that we all have been hearing from our childhood- Practice makes a man perfect
Java: A Beginner’s Guide by Herbert Schildt
This product was recommended by Albert Griesmayr from Scribando
Java is an important fundamental programming language as it helps you make codes to build for software. This book can help and guide you even if you don’t have any experience in programming.
Code By Charles Petzold
This product was recommended by Albert Griesmayr from Scribando
This book gives a narrative of the history of computer science and how it has changed the world. The author links old technologies and how it has evolved into the technology we are using today. This book will help you understand how technology changed for the better and taken over many aspects of our lives.
You Don’t Know Js by Kyle Simpson
This product was recommended by Albert Griesmayr from Scribando
This book explains what is JavaScript from the very beginning. And the author is also a teacher so he’s great at explaining every single thing there is to know about JavaScript. He goes down to the basics to explain JavaScript as a language.
Data Science for Beginners by Andrew Park
This product was recommended by M. Ammar Shahid from SuperHeroCorp
A step by step knowledge guide to data science for beginners. This book teaches you the Python installation process; differentiates the data types, structures, and functions based on real case studies. A must-read book for the professional software engineers as well as beginners to software engineering.
Head First C by David Griffiths
This product was recommended by Ali Rizvi from Dream Superhero
Head First C uses a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.
Python Flash Cards by Eric Matthes
This product was recommended by Jeff Neal from The Critter Depot
I have zero computer programming experience, but at the start of the year, I made it a mission to learn it so that I could automate many of my online tasks. something I found very help were these Flashcards for Python. I know that these sound reallllllly corny. But I can’t emphasize how helpful they have been learning and remembering the common phrases to describe the procedures with python. They have multiple segments, which helps break down all the phrases and important foundational knowledge. I can show pics of the cards as well.
