The Art and Science of C: A Library Based Introduction to Computer Science - Softcover

Roberts, Eric S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0201543222 ISBN 13: 9780201543223

Publisher: Pearson, 1994

Synopsis

This book provides a solid introduction to computer science that emphasizes software engineering and the development of good programming style. Writing in an engaging style, Stanford professor Eric Roberts makes difficult concepts accessible and exciting. The text focuses on the use of libraries and abstractions, which are essential to modern programming. Moreover, by using libraries to hide C's complexity, Roberts introduces topics in an order that allows students to master each one individually. As soon as the student has the background to understand the details, Roberts reveals the underlying implementation of each library. With this approach, the libraries themselves demonstrate the power of abstraction.

About this title

About the Author

Eric S. Roberts is a Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University and the department's Associate Chair for Educational Affairs. He is also the Charles Simonyi Professor for Innovation in Teaching. After receiving his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University in 1980, Dr. Roberts founded and chaired the computer science department at Wellesley College. He then worked for five years as a researcher for Digital Equipment Corporation's Systems Research Center in Palo Alto, California. Dr. Roberts is also the author of The Art and Science of C, published by Addison-Wesley in 1995.

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From the Back Cover

The Art and Science of C is specifically designed to teach introductory programming using ANSI C. Roberts uses standard software engineering strategies---procedural abstraction, modular decomposition, and information hiding---from start to finish. What is unique about this book is Roberts' use of libraries. This method has two advantages. First, Roberts uses the libraries to emphasize the techniques of procedural abstraction, modular development, and information hiding, which are essential tools for the professional programmer. By emphasizing these concepts from the very beginning to the text, students develop the skills necessary to manage complexity when it arises.

Second, the text makes the material easier for students to learn. Early in the book, Roberts introduces several new libraries that hide details from the students until they are ready to use them. The libraries give the students the power to write useful programs that they could not yet develop on their own. Later chapters reveal the implementation of those libraries, thereby allowing students to appreciate the power of abstraction. With this text, Roberts provides you with everything you'll need to manage C's inherent complexity.

Features

• Promotes solid programming skills by including discussion of the hows as well as the whys of programming.
• Includes helpful learning tools:
• Review questions covering key elements end each chapter.
• Exercises, over 175 in the text.
• Sample programs illustrate both the mechanics of programming and the use of good programming style.
• Buggy programs help student identity and correct bugs of their own.

SupplementsInstructor's Manual (93365)Graphics Library
Runs on the Macintosh (THINK C), the PC (Borland C/C++), and UNIX (XWindows).

Libraries
The library interfaces and associated implementations are reprinted in Appendix B of the text.

All supplemental material available on-line.

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Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0201543222
• ISBN 13: 9780201543223
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 728