Mathematics for Algorithm and Systems Analysis (Dover Books on Mathematics)

There is an unfortunate division between computer science theory, and actual programming practice. Most programmers who are self-taught, pick up some theory through immersion. But what works well for natural language is not necessarily optimal for technical and scientific disciplines. The technical vocabulary of computer science and engineering is heavily mathematical, and this book provides a good introduction to the vocabulary, concepts, and methods of a rigorous approach to computing. Mastery of the concepts are essential for reliable programs in the "real" world.

Great book that covers the full range of the necessary mathematics for Computer Science and various Engineering disciplines. Being complimentary, it sits between my desktop bookends next to another great book, Concepts in Modern Mathematics. This book eschews monotonous discussion of abstract proofs for a more example based approach. The diagrams are very concise and directly illustrative of the concepts that are being discussed. No extraneous digression. Extremely good as a reference or a primer. Were I an instructor in programming, I would make this one of the several required reads. SADLY, still no Kindle version exists.Originally posted in Jan of 2013. -- Edited in Oct 2017 to clean up the grammar and complain about continuing lack of Kindle version.