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Table of Contents
🧠 Did you know? The world’s first computer named ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) weighed over 27 tons and took up 1800 square feet of space.
What is computer science?
Computer science is the study of computers and computational machines. It covers everything from algorithms to theory, design, development and application of software and hardware systems.
Simply put, computer science allows you to program a computer to make it do what you want. 😈
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.
TLDR: Best Computer Science Books
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach
💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Computer Science Distilled
💸 Best Value 💸
Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook
🎖️ Honorable Mention 🎖️
Ideas That Created the Future: Classic Papers of Computer Science
Best Computer Science Books
1. Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach is one of the best computer science books overall.
↘️ Ideal for: computer science newbies
↘️ Topics covered: computer science fundamentals with Java programming
Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach uses Java programming to teach you computer science fundamentals. With an applications-based approach, you’ll learn concepts in:
- math
- science
- engineering
- finance
- commercial computing
After learning basic programming elements such as variables, loops and arrays, you’ll discover object-oriented programming.
You’ll also focus on broader disciplines of computer science using:
- search and sort algorithms
- fundamental data structures
- scientific techniques
And beyond.
➡️ Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach is co-authored by Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne, authors of the popular banger of a book Algorithms, 4th Edition.
What computer science students are saying about Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach:
This is a wonderful introduction to computer science. The author is very careful and precise with his definitions and descriptions.
– quant 42
🏁 If you learn better by watching videos, check out the computer science courses offered on Treehouse.
2. Computer Science Distilled
Computer Science Distilled is one of the best computer science books for newbies.
↘️ Ideal for: independent learners
↘️ Topics covered: computer science foundations
Computer Science Distilled touts itself as a “fast and easy computer science guide.” You’ll learn the foundations necessary to program computers such as:
- strategy
- data
- algorithms
- databases
You’ll also learn about the principles that enable computers to work.
➡️ Computer Science Distilled is geared towards readers who prefer to learn independently as opposed to an academic setting.
🏁 How does computer science fit into your life? Check out the course Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose on Coursera.
3. Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook
Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook gives you the most bang for your buck.
↘️ Ideal for: computer science newbies; young learners
↘️ Topics covered: computer science and coding fundamentals
Best. Computer. Science. Book. Ever… Pretty much, anyway.
Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook is kind of like Head First books: Instead of walls of boring text, you’ll find diagrams, mnemonic devices and illustrations to help you learn computer science concepts. Some of what you’ll learn includes:
- algorithms
- binary code
- computational thinking
- boolean expressions
And much, much more.
You’ll also learn programming in Scratch and Python.
➡️ Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook advertises itself as a middle school study guide. But don’t let that turn you off. Readers of all ages have found this book useful.
Take Liz M for example:
When I ask someone to explain things in simple, easy to understand English when it comes to computer sciences and coding, THIS is what I mean…
– Liz M
🔥 Geena’s Hot Take
Don’t be afraid of books listed for middle or high schoolers. There is NO SHAME in starting small when learning the fundamentals of computer science.
I have plenty of programming books geared towards kids and guess what? I understand basics concepts better than I ever would have with books aimed towards adults that assume you know more than you do.
Do yourself a favor and pick up Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook.
🏁 If interactivity is more your speed, check out the course The High School Guide to Mastering Java and AP Computer Science A on Educative.io.
4. Ideas That Created the Future: Classic Papers of Computer Science
↘️ Ideal for: general audiences, history buffs
↘️ Topics covered: computer science history
Ideas That Created the Future is unlike any other computer science book on our list.
Instead of teaching you the hows of computer science, you’ll go on a journey through the evolution of computer science with 46 papers. With writings by everyone from Aristotle to Gordon Moore, you’ll learn about:
- theory and practice
- architectures and algorithms
- logic and software systems
And more.
➡️ Ideas That Create the Future documents discoveries and inventions related to computer science, primarily from 1936-1980.
5. Computer Science: An Overview
↘️ Ideal for: computer science newbies, students
↘️ Topics covered: computer science fundamentals
Computer Science: An Overview contains over 1000 questions and exercises to help you learn computer science from the ground up. You’ll learn computer science through the lens of Python programming in this full-color textbook.
➡️ Computer Science: An Overview is meant to be used in conjunction with Introduction to Computer Science courses.
What computer science students are saying about Computer Science: An Overview:
Don’t judge a textbook by its price, particularly this one. It may very well be one of the best textbooks I have used so far on my academic journey.
– Barreness of a Busy Life
6. Invitation to Computer Science
↘️ Ideal for: computer science newbies
↘️ Topics covered: computer science basics
Similar to Computer Science: An Overview, Invitation to Computer Science is a textbook. But instead of Python you’ll find a non-language specific, algorithmic introduction to computer science. With ample exercises and practice problems, you’ll discover:
- hardware
- software development
- virtual machines
- applications
You’ll also find real-world content covering privacy, cloud computing and net neutrality.
➡️ Invitation to Computer Science takes a hands-on approach to teach the fundamentals of computer science.
7. Computer Science Illuminated
↘️ Ideal for: computer science beginners, students
↘️ Topics covered: information, hardware, programming
Computer Science Illuminated rocks it hard.
It uses low-level programming languages and pseudocode to introduce computer science concepts. After laying the groundwork, you’ll look at 6 layers in computer science:
- information
- hardware
- programming
- operating systems
- applications
- communications
You’ll also find content on cloud computing, big data and system security.
➡️ Computer Science Illuminated takes a language-agnostic approach to computer science.
8. Intro to Python for Computer Science and Data Science
↘️ Ideal for: computer science and data science newbies
↘️ Topics covered: computer science, data science
Ok, now it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room… literally.
Intro to Python takes a unique approach where you’ll explore data science alongside computer science while learning Python programming. Using real-world datasets and artificial intelligence technologies, you’ll work on hundreds of examples, exercises and projects.
After a general introduction to Python, you’ll discover:
- control statements
- functions
- lists and tuples
- dictionaries and sets
And on the data science end of the spectrum, you’ll work with natural language processing (NLP), data mining and machine learning.
➡️ Intro to Python for Computer Science and Data Science is for computer science newbies who want a head start in the field of data science.
9. Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science
↘️ Ideal for: computer science newbies, students
↘️ Topics covered: computer science basics
Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science by John Zelle focuses on the basics of computer science. You’ll learn core computer science concepts through the scope of Python. Because Python is an easier programming language to learn, it’s often preferred and recommended for beginners.
See what readers are saying about Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science
… For anyone looking to break into the world of programming, this is the place to start.
– Nicholas DiMucci
10. Classic Computer Science Problems in Python
Classic Computer Science Problems in Python is one of the best computer science books for intermediate Python programmers.
↘️ Ideal for: intermediate Python programmers
↘️ Topics covered: algorithms, neural networks, adversarial search
In Classic Computer Science Problems in Python, you’ll use proven scenarios, exercises and algorithms to learn more advanced computer science concepts such as:
- neural networks
- adversarial search
- techniques for graphs
And much more.
You’ll explore dozens of coding challenges while uncovering solutions that will leave you a more efficient coder.
➡️ Classic Computer Science Problems in Python is for intermediate Python programmers.
11. Computer Programming for Absolute Beginners
↘️ Ideal for: computer science and programming newbies
↘️ Topics covered: computer science and programming concepts
If you’re learning anything related to computer programming, you’re almost always guaranteed to run into a book on Packt Publishing.
Computer Programming for Absolute Beginners teaches the building blocks of programming languages and other computer science concepts. You’ll learn the fundamentals of computer programming while exploring tips, techniques and best practices. You’ll also:
- discover different programming languages
- learn about source code and executable code
- solve problems using paradigms like procedural programming and object-oriented programming
- write high-quality code
- track and fix bugs
And more.
➡️ Computer Programming for Absolute Beginners teaches you computer science with an emphasis on practical implementation.
12. Computer Science Principles
↘️ Ideal for: computer science beginners
↘️ Topics covered: info security, impacts of computing
Computer Science Principles takes you on a journey into learning computer science fundamentals like:
And much more.
You’ll also explore newer concepts added to this edition like Boolean logic, information security, and the impacts of computing.
➡️ After reading Computer Science Principles, you should be able to edit photos, design websites and code using JavaScript.
13. A Programmer’s Guide to Computer Science
A Programmer’s Guide to Computer Science is one of the best computer science books for experienced programmers.
↘️ Ideal for: experienced programmers
↘️ Topics covered: algorithms and data structures, problem-solving techniques
A Programmer’s Guide to Computer Science is a hands-on guide intended for experienced programmers. You’ll learn some of the most frequently referenced topics in computer science such as:
- algorithms and data structures
- problem-solving techniques
- complexity theory
- graphs
And more.
➡️ The claim of A Programmer’s Guide to Computer Science is that they’ll teach you the same amount of information as a four-year computer science degree.
14. Computer Science Unleashed
↘️ Ideal for: advanced computer science newbies
↘️ Topics covered: fast-paced introduction to computer science
Computer Science Unleashed is a high-level overview of:
- data science
- networking
- computer security
In this accelerated guide, you’ll learn everything from how the Internet works all the way up to predicting the future with machine learning.
➡️ Computer Science Unleashed is a non-academic, fast-paced guide to higher-level computer science concepts.
Best Computer Science Books: Conclusion
Today we looked at the best computer science books including:
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach
💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Computer Science Distilled
💸 Best Value 💸
Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook
🎖️ Honorable Mention 🎖️
Ideas That Created the Future: Classic Papers of Computer Science
So whether you want the best of the best or are on a budget, we think these are the best computer science books out there.
Computer scientists are also reading:
- Best Introduction to Computer Science Books [Learn Computer Science ASAP]
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- Must-Have Data Science Interview Books
- Best JavaScript Courses [Beginner to Advanced]
- Best PHP Books [Learn PHP ASAP]
What are the best computer science books?
Overall, we think the best computer science book is Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach. For newbies, we liked Computer Science Distilled. And for value, we chose Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook.
What is computer science?
Computer science is the study of computers and computational machines. It covers everything from algorithms to theory, design, development and application of software and hardware systems. Simply put, computer science allows you to program a computer to make it do what you want. You can learn more about computer science by reading books and taking courses, many of which are listed in today’s article.
Is the book Computer Science Distilled worth it?
Yes, Computer Science Distilled is worth it. Computer Science Distilled touts itself as a “fast and easy computer science guide.” You’ll learn the foundations necessary to program computers such as strategy, data, algorithms, and databases. You’ll also learn about the principles that enable computers to work.
Where can I learn computer science?
Books are an excellent resource to learn computer science. But if you prefer more hands-on learning, online courses may be more your speed. In today’s post, we look at plenty of computer science books and even a few courses.
What are the best computer science courses?
There are a few computer science courses we really liked. Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose can be found on Coursera. Educative.io has a course The High School Guide to Mastering Java and AP Computer Science A. Also, Treehouse has a few computer science courses we were impressed with.