An Invitation to Computer Science

by SCHNEIDER/GERSTING

• ISBN13: 9780534951153
• ISBN10: 0534951155
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-08-24
• Publisher: Course Technology

Summary

Now updated to include the most recent developments in Web and network technology, this best-selling introduction to computer science provides a breadth-first overview of the full range of topics in this dynamic discipline: algorithms, hardware design, computer organization, system software, language models, programming, compilation, theory of computation, applications, networks, artificial intelligence, and the impact of computers on society. The authors present these topics in the context of a big picture, - six-layer hierarchy of abstractions - starting with the algorithmic foundations of computer science, and working upward from low-level hardware concepts through virtual machine environments, languages, software, and applications programs to the social issues raised by computer technology. Each layer in the hierarchy builds on ideas and concepts presented earlier. An accompanying lab manual provides exploratory lab experiences tied to the text material. The Second Edition features the use of C++ for teaching the basics of programming, with a C++ compiler provided with the accompanying lab manual. This compiler includes a graphics library that students use to create shapes and images as part of a new section in Chapter 7 on "Graphical Programming."

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Computer Science	1	(25)
Level 1 The Algorithmic Foundations of Computer Science	26	(90)
Chapter 2 Algorithm Discovery and Design	29	(36)
Chapter 3 The Efficiency of Algorithms	65	(51)
Level 2 The Hardware World	116	(116)
Chapter 4 The Building Blocks: Binary Numbers, Boolean Logic, and Gates	119	(50)
Chapter 5 Computer Systems Organization	169	(63)
Level 3 The Virtual Machine	232	(58)
Chapter 6 An Introduction to System Software and Virtual Machines	235	(55)
Level 4 The Software World	290	(226)
Chapter 7 Introduction to High-Level Language Programming	293	(80)
Chapter 8 The Tower of Babel	373	(52)
Chapter 9 Compilers and Language Translation	425	(48)
Chapter 10 Models of Computation	473	(43)
Level 5 Applications	516	(110)
Chapter 11 Using and Managing Data: A Case Study in Three Scenes	519	(42)
Chapter 12 Computer Networks	561	(34)
Chapter 13 Artificial Intelligence	595	(31)
Level 6 Social Issues	626	(61)
Chapter 14 Social and Legal Issues	629	(58)
Answers to Practice Problems	687	(28)
Index	715