This article showcases our top picks for the Best Books On Computer Science for Coders. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).
We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.
The Architecture Of Open Source Applications by Amy Brown
This product was recommended by Matthew Emerick from Cross Trained Mind
There are a LOT of academic books that look at the theory of how to build software, but there are very few that look at existing software as examples. This is one of the few computer science books that actually walks through how many open-source software projects are actually built. It will show you the architecture and explain why it’s done that way.
The Pragmatic Programmer by Andrew Hunt
This product was recommended by Loren Quimbo from Glytterati
If you are a new coder or an experienced programmer, this is an excellent book for you as it will teach you the ways of programming and make your developments more precise with automation. This book examines the core development process for modern software’s increasing specialization and technicalities, taking a requirement and producing working, maintainable code that delights its users. And it illustrates the best practices and major pitfalls of many different aspects of software development.
Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian
This product was recommended by SavaÅŸ AteÅŸ from Good Book Summary
In a dazzlingly interdisciplinary work, acclaimed author Brian Christian and cognitive scientist Tom Griffiths show how the algorithms used by computers can also untangle very human questions. They explain how to have better hunches and when to leave things to chance, how to deal with overwhelming choices and how best to connect with others. From finding a spouse to finding a parking spot, from organizing one’s inbox to understanding the workings of memory, Algorithms to Live By transforms the wisdom of computer science into strategies for human living.
Modern Operating Systems by Andrew S. Tanenbaum
This product was recommended by SavaÅŸ AteÅŸ from Good Book Summary
For software development professionals and computer science students, Modern Operating Systems gives a solid conceptual overview of operating system design, including detailed case studies of Unix/Linux and Windows 2000.
Test-Driven Development by Kent Beck
This product was recommended by SavaÅŸ AteÅŸ from Good Book Summary
Quite simply, test-driven development is meant to eliminate fear in application development. While some fear is healthy (often viewed as a conscience that tells programmers to be careful!), the author believes that byproducts of fear include tentative, grumpy, and uncommunicative programmers who are unable to absorb constructive criticism. When programming teams buy into TDD, they immediately see positive results. They eliminate the fear involved in their jobs, and are better equipped to tackle the difficult challenges that face them. TDD eliminates tentative traits, it teaches programmers to communicate, and it encourages team members to seek out criticism However, even the author admits that grumpiness must be worked out individually! In short, the premise behind TDD is that code should be continually tested and refactored. Kent Beck teaches programmers by example, so they can painlessly and dramatically increase the quality of their work.
Coders at Work by Peter Seibel
This product was recommended by SavaÅŸ AteÅŸ from Good Book Summary
Peter Seibel interviews 16 of the most interesting computer programmers alive today in Coders at Work, offering a brand-new companion volume to Apress’s highly acclaimed best-seller Founders at Work by Jessica Livingston. As the words at work suggest, Peter Seibel focuses on how his interviewees tackle the day–to–day work of programming, while revealing much more, like how they became great programmers, how they recognize programming talent in others, and what kinds of problems they find most interesting.
The C Programming Language by Brian W. Kernighan
This product was recommended by SavaÅŸ AteÅŸ from Good Book Summary
This book is meant to help the reader learn how to program in C. It is the definitive reference guide, now in a second edition. Although the first edition was written in 1978, it continues to be a worldwide best-seller. This second edition brings the classic original up to date to include the ANSI standard.