Has anyone read this book to become a better engineer/computer scientist? My planned reading list including exercises for the next year are: Concrete Mathematics by Graham, Knuth, and Patasnik. Algorithms by Cormen, Lieserson, Rivest, Stein Designing Data Intensive Applications by Kleppmann. Self taught and wanting to bolster a strong foundation such that I can be innovative. (Note I do plenty of hands on programming in my current role). I'll still Leetcode. TC: $105k, 2YOE
CLRS isn't a book you casually read. It's an enormous reference tome and even then isn't comprehensive for interview problems. More power to you if you can do it, but probably even then shouldn't. The version on my shelf is basically a 1229 page manual on how to solve misc logical problems efficiently, and that's not counting the bibliography and index
It’s worth it if you enjoy it. Expect to spend a ton of time on it.
I would add if you want to 1. The algorithm design manual (aka TADM by skienna) and 2. Algorithm design by tardos —> their dynamic programming chapter is a good read but this book i believe should be “read” only after CLRS and TADM
Concrete mathematics is an excellent book. But the gains will be indirect and not immediate, whereas algorithms and ddia will help more directly in interviews
@rainwater I've arrive at this point backwards. Trying to figure out dynamic programming led me to realizing my weak foundation in recursion. My weak foundation in recursion made me realize my weak foundation in Mathematical Induction. It clicked the computer science curriculums teach Discrete Mathematics for a reason and many of my friends take that experience for granted. So they find certain things quite obvious when they approach problems. The first chapter of Concrete Mathematics has already given me several "aha!" moments.
Oh I see. Yes knowing discrete math is pretty important. I'm glad that you're enjoying Concrete mathematics. The book is much more intense than your typical undergrad discrete math course though, so good for you!
These are great books, but Concrete Mathematics wont be diectly helpful however it will make you a much better problem solver.