quote: ---------------- You don''t have any books on programming? Check out some of the books at a local library. They are bound to have some for you to use. ---------------- LOL, I wouldn''t waste my time doing that. With the exception of university libraries, I would not expect to find any recent (oh say within 10-15 years) books on programming.

Thats a pretty sorry view. If your local library sucks, then thats a shame. But the one I''m working at will have about $1400 worth of brand new programming/computer books in about 1 week. Just in case anyone around here was interested I got a couple 3D Programming books too, heh. Libraries are a great place to start, because you get to check the books out and see if it will actually help you before you lay down any cash. (It helps if they have a copmetent IT person ordering new books now and then...) HitScan

Well that''s just great. This was supposed to be a REPLY, but of course I hit NEW POST... Ignore me, It''s been too long :D


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HitScan

The last time I went to a public library looking for programmin book was about ten years ago, and I was so disappointed in all of my local libraries (i didn't give up after the first city) I never bothered checking again.
The public libraries by me had such old how-to type computer books they were useless by the time they bought them.

I often find 90% or more of the computer books at stores useless. The Borders by me has a decent selection, but not all do.

CS topics evolve quite rapidly, and material in a three-five year old book is often not practical. It depends on the subject; C hasn't changed much so a 10 year old C reference book is just as good today. But a ten year old C++ book is not.

For instance, if you're interested in 3D computer graphics, a ten year book may do more harm than good! It will contain precussory information about what went into the development of modern 3D accelerators. If you want to learn 3D therory it could still be useful, but most books aimed at the public are not theory based.

And frankly, an IT person is not likely to know what programming books are the good ones. If you do have that knowledge, I suggest you work on your title Though an IT person would probably have a better idea than the head librarain... I suspect the networking books to be top notch

And $1400 means 28 new books, which is a lot better than none, but its not like you bought nearly all of them.

Edited by - Magmai Kai Holmlor on November 26, 2000 11:37:57 PM

Public libraries almost always have out-of-date books on programming. But bookstores like Borders and such always have a good, up-to-date section of programming, ESPECIALLY web languages.

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Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.
John Milton, Paradise Lost

I found the right button this time, ha-HA!

quote:
And frankly, an IT person is not likely to know what programming books are the good ones. If you do have that knowledge, I suggest you work on your title Though an IT person would probably have a better idea than the head librarain... I suspect the networking books to be top notch

Hehehe, ITS is just a title. I''m no IT person. I taught myself to program long ago, just never found a decent job for it. (though I could probably look harder, but hell, I''m only 20 )And to make it even more ironic, I know almost Jack about networking :D (though I am quickly catching up, make no mistake)

That 1400 went to a lot more than 28 books. I''ll be the first to admit they were neither all programming books nor all the programming books I would want. (but, unfortunately, it''s not /my/ library )

Also, honestly, how many decent books on the subject were even around 10 years ago? They may have been a few, but surely nothing like now. and with all due respect, saying "I went 10 years ago and was so dissapointed I never went back" doesn''t make any sense. I mean, what if nobody had touched another MS product after they put out Bob? :D



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HitScan