Learning Computation
Resources for learning about theoretical computer science
Books
Here is a list of books that are recommended for self-study or for reference, arranged by topic. Clicking on the images or titles will take you to Amazon.com for additional information and pricing.
This list is still short — please feel free to make suggestions if you know of any texts you've found to be especially helpful. Another resource you may find useful is the Basic Library List at the Mathematical Association of America. The MAA maintains an extensive list of recommended texts in math and related disciplines.
Subject Headings
- Mathematical Preliminaries
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Theory of Computation
- Recursion Theory
- Logic and Foundations
- Graph Theory
Mathematical Preliminaries
Back to topData Structures and Algorithms
Back to topTheory of Computation
Introduction to the Theory of ComputationMichael Sipser
I am listing the 1st edition of this classic text for the following reason: Very little of substance has changed between the 1st and 2nd editions. If you're on a tight budget and can't afford the 2nd edition, you can pick this one up used at a bargain price and get almost everything that the 2nd edition has to offer.
Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and Computation (2nd Ed.)John E. Hopcroft, Rajeev Motwani and Jeffrey D. Ullman
Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and ComputationJohn E. Hopcroft and Jeffrey D. Ullman
This is out of print but may be available as a used book.
Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-CompletenessMichael R. Garey and David S. Johnson