|
| Computer Science Illuminated | 
 enlarge | Authors: Nell Dale, John Lewis
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Publishers
Category: Book
List Price: $95.95
Buy Used: $22.62
You Save: $73.33 (76%)
New (40) Used (58) from $22.62
Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 374967
Media: Paperback
Edition: 3
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 672
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.7 x 1
ISBN: 0763741493
Dewey Decimal Number: 004
EAN: 9780763741495
ASIN: 0763741493
Publication Date: November 8, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Thoroughly revised and updated, Computer Science Illuminated, Third Edition, continues to excite and enlighten students on the dynamic and diverse field of computer science. Written by two of today s most respected computer science educators, Nell Dale and John Lewis, the text provides a broad overview of the many aspects of the discipline from a generic view point. Separate program language chapters are available as bundle items for those instructors who would like to explore a particular programming language with their students. The many layers of computing are thoroughly explained beginning with the information layer, working through the hardware, programming, operating systems, application, and communication layers, and ending with a discussion on the limitations of computing. Perfect for introductory computing and computer science courses, Computer Science Illuminated, Third Edition's thorough presentation of computing systems provides computer science majors with a solid foundation for further study, and offers non majors a comprehensive and complete introduction to computing.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
 OVERPRICED MEDIOCRE TEXT February 21, 2005
13 out of 16 found this review helpful
It's been a semester since I had to buy this expensive shrink-wrapped textbook for my Intro to Computer Science class. In a text like this, topics are glossed over in an attempt to cover a wide range of ideas related to general CS. Even after a semester of CS and having gotten my feet wet in related areas (3D graphics programming, networking, and network security), I still say this text falls short of providing any real material to the budding computer scientist/engineer.
The author Nell Dale's writing inadequately explains certain concepts, something which could make these first time topics even more distant, or even further confuse those - particularly those with no prior programming or computer experience, especially those taking Intro to CS as an elective. For example, our professor taught us a more adequate technique in binary arithmetic. Dale's explanations of binary arithmetic are slightly confusing, especially to the uninitiated.
While the focus of the first semester was on beginning OOP with C++, we ended the semester with basic programming concepts (e.g. functions, data types, pointers, etc.) and the fundamentals of the OO paradigm (using C++). The chapter on programming paradigms, in my opinion, is utterly TERRIBLE. Although I took time outside of class to read better books on the subject, had I solely based my budding knowledge of OOP on this textbook, I would've been in trouble down the road -- I didn't understand a thing of OOP based upon this book's explanations. 3-4 pages are solely dedicated to the seemingly Stone Age concept of using "class cards".
Although this textbook was a complete waste of money, my personal experience with this book was even worse because I had a professor who taught Intro to CS as if we were Software Engineering seniors. If you have to buy this book for class but what a better understanding of CS in general (before you get into the details), either buy or check your local or school's library for Computer Science: An Overview by J. Glenn Brookshear (ISBN: 0201781301). If you're buying this, the latest edition is the 8th but the last edition, the 7th, you can get used for about $5-$7.
If you're like me and your class is covering more basic OOP programming techniques using a OOP "optimized" language than learning a generalized overview of many CS topics (e.g. operating systems, artificial intelligence, etc.), another really good book to check out and/or buy is Introduction to Computer Science Using C++, 2nd Edition by Todd Knowlton (ISBN: 0538676000). The last I checked, you can get this hardcover used from the Amazon Marketplace for about $3.50-$5 used. This book covers nothing but basic programming concepts such as variables, loops, operators, strings, I/O, functions, on and on and on.
Again, if you have to get this book, I would highly recommended supplementing your learning by reading one of the aforementioned books (not necessarily the whole book however) along with CS Illuminated. Some people may think this book is okay, but I would still say that to really get a firm grasp of what basic programming is all about, you'll need a better text to give you that foundation. Perhaps the reason why this textbook fails overall is that it gives too much attention to too many different topics. Had if focused on basic programming (which it seems most Intro to CS teachers emphasize anyway) like Introduction to Computer Science Using C++, it may have been better. Anyway, good luck to all!
 A great "CS 0" text November 14, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I am currently using this text for the fifth time in my survey course for non-majors. It does exactly what I want it to do: it gives the students a feel for each of the topics with just enough depth to be rigorous for non-majors without being overwhelming. It's not perfect for my tastes; I do less than a full chapter, for example, when talking about languages (only covering the introductions to Chapters 7 and 8), whereas I do a full week on an expanded coverage of databases (Chapter 12). But I have a hard time imagining a text with a better fit, and I have used this since its first edition.
 CS Illuminated Text Review April 21, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Computer Science Illuminated is a beginner's guide to the field of computer science, most often used in Intro classes. The chapters work outward, beginning with the basic explanation of the first layer, the information layer; and closing with the more complex outer layer, the communications layer. The book is illustrated with charts, tables, and pictures that coincide with its topics to help build a further understanding of its ideas for each chapter. Following each chapter, a one-page summary is given as well as review questions pertaining to the topic(s) discussed in the chapter, both which I found helpful.
On the negative side, computers are extremely complex, and for the majority of the text, terms and explanations are briefly explained where further explanation is necessary. Taking this class, I spent more time just memorizing definitions from the book rather than actually getting an understanding of computer science. The biggest reason most likely for this lack of understanding for which the text did not help is probably the wide range of topics that it discusses instead of focusing and developing smaller ideas. After nearly completing the text, I feel I have a mediocre sense of foundation for computer science
Computer Science Illuminated April 24, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This text, Computer Science Illuminated, attempts to provide students with an overview of the basics in computer science. The book is complete with long detailed chapters broken into sections, followed by chapter review questions. The book certainly provides students with the chance to be introduced to a wide variety of topics dealing with computer science.
In my opinion, the downside to this textbook is that it may be too complex for an intro level course. So much is put into one chapter that I often felt that I was bouncing around and not quite clear with everything that I had read. Although the chapter review questions helped, because they focused in on certain points that I was then able to go back to and explore, I felt like I was not getting a full understanding of everything in the chapter.
Computer Science Illuminated April 24, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have used this book for an introduction to computer science course. It has proved to be adequate but not extraordinary. I have learned some important concepts and terms, and the simple, spaced out language is easy to read. However, more detail and inclusion of more complex terms would have made the textbook a lot better. It would not be sufficient for a higher level computer class, but has allowed me to do above average in a basic computing class.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
