An Invitation to Computer Science

by G. Michael Schneider, Judith L. Gersting, Sara Baase (Contributor)

In this best-selling text, Mike Schneider and Judy Gersting unify and lend relevance to the topics of computer science within their proven framework of a six-layer hierarchy of abstractions. The authors begin by showing that computer science is the study of algorithms, which is the central theme of the book, then move up the next five levels of the hierarchy: hardware, virtual machine, software, applications, and ethics.

Genres: Computer Science, Nonfiction, Science

550 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent section on computer ethics. Thought this was a very solid textbook. I'd consider keeping it if I still gave a crap about computers.

[Marilita]

great

[Kenna Pezzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned computer science!

[Dany Vicente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introductory book to computer science. After learning the bases of code I wanted to dive deeper in what is the essence of a computer, so I decided one of the ways was to read a textbook about introduction to computer science. I got exactly what I wanted. From the basics of how transistors work to the software world, this book describes each step of what a computer is and how it works. It doesn't go deep into each topic but it touches a lot of them with clear explanations, and this is what we look for in an introductory book.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From algorithms to ethics and every bit and transistor in between. A little too indepth and boring in places but overall a solid intro to CS.

[Junaid Khan]

Study

[Nathan Ormond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really solid undergrad text book covering all bases of comp sci.

[Nicholas Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite long for an introductory text.

[Francisco Marigold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yea I enjoyed it so what

[Wolfy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to get a better understanding of Computer Science and computers. This book is structured in such a way that it takes you through all layers of computer science by starting at 'Algorithmns and Foundations' through to the 'Social Issues' of computers and computer science. (Note: this book is merely an introduction into the computer science field, therefore no programming is taught)

[Steven van Doorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for a textbook.