The.Algorithm.Design.Manual.Springer-Verlag.1998

The Algorithm Design Manual
Most professional programmers are not well equipped to tackle algorithm design problems.
"The Algorithm Design Manual" by Steve Skiena of SUNY Stony Brook, is uniquely
designed to provide access to combinatorial algorithms technology for computer
professionals and students. Skiena has taken some of the "mystery" out of finding the right
algorithm for the job, by drawing heavily on the author's own real-world experiences. Thus
the work takes on a very practical character, as reflected in its title: "Manual". The Book is
divided into two parts, the first being a general guide to techniques for the design and
analysis of computer algorithms. The second is a reference section, comprising the catalog
of algorithmic resources, implementations, and an extensive bibliography.
The primary audience for this book/CD-ROM combination is the working professional
who uses algorithms on a regular or occasional basis and has need for a handy reference. A
major feature of this book is the inclusion of a complete "catalog" of important algorithmic
problems. By browsing this catalog, readers can quickly identify what the problem they
have encountered is called, what is known about it, and how they should proceed if they
need to solve it. Nothing like this catalog exists in the computing literature for general
computer algorithms.
This work can also readily be used as a textbook or course supplement in standard courses
on algorithm design. Pedagogic features include pen-and paper exercises, "team projects",
independent student projects, "take home" lessons (goals) at the beginning of chapters.
Other teaching and learning aids reside on the accompanying CD-ROM. The multiplatiform
CD-ROM contains a full hypertext version of the book, with a comprehensive online
index, and all of the code/algorithms residing on the author's web site at Stony Brook
in the "Algorithm Repository" there: www.cs.sunysb.edu/~algorith/. URLs for all cited
implementations mirroring the Stony Brook web site and algorthim repository are
included. Also included on the CD-ROM are 10 hours of audio lectures presented by the
author, and series of slides which instructors can use to help teach their courses. There is
additional useful information and updates which are available through accessing the
author's web site.
Table of Contents
Part I Techniques
Chapter 1 Introduction to Algorithms
1.1 Correctness and Efficiency
1.2 Expressing Algorithms
1.3 Keeping Score
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