Education
Here is a biased review on a selection of more than 30 textbooks and tutorials I have gone through. In the order of most recent first.
Regardless of my rating I am aware of the great effort the authors have put into their work for which I am endlessly thankful. Every previous book that a student has read makes the success of the next book more certain.
Precalculus Mathematics in a Nutshell: Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry
Author: George F. Simmons
Theory volume
Theory presentation
Practical exercises
Overall: good
Revise school maths.
Yes I am old, I forgot maths.
Mastering Ubuntu Server - Fourth Edition: Explore the versatile, powerful Linux Server distribution Ubuntu 22.04 with this comprehensive guide 4th ed. Edition
Author: Jay LaCroix
Theory volume
Theory presentation
Practical exercises
Overall: excellent
A comprehensive guide.
Planning to set up a Linux server on VPS? This guide is a good all-round preparation.
A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms, Second Edition: Level Up Your Core Programming Skills 2nd Edition
Author: Jay Wengrow
Theory volume
Theory presentation
Practical exercises
Overall: excellent
Excellent teaching.
The author goes out of his way to bring his point across. Takes you by the hand, makes drawings and what not to make you understand. And of course he succeeds. Also gives some basic advise on how to approach algorithmic problems.
It would have been an even better book if the actual Leetcode questions were not demanding about ten times more depth in theory, understanding, tricks, traps, and practice.
The Self-Taught Computer Scientist: The Beginner's Guide to Data Structures & Algorithms 1st Edition
Author: Cory Althoff
Theory volume
Theory presentation
Practical exercises
Overall: good
Interview preparation for the Leetcode style questions: the lightest version possible .
Initially I thought that the book is very good. The author’s style is very accessible for a novice. I still think that the book is ok. However with this preparation you do not stand a chance with the actual Leetcode questions. But it is this book that encourages you to go to the leetcode website itself and use whatever more resources needed.
Django Documentation and tutorial
Author: open source
Theory volume
Theory presentation
Practical exercises
Overall: use as a reference
Treat documentation as documentation.
The official Django Documentation Tutorial teaches how to set up a Django project using functions. While the modern practice is to use classes. So the tutorial is not just shallow but in the wrong direction. What was unique and interesting about the tutorial is that it has a section on how to package a Django application into a reusable app.
I hear most people praise Django Documentation. I tried to use it as a guide to learn how to make Django projects.
Only later found (and agree with) the saying: “don’t use documentation as a way to learn”. It goes for Any documentation, not just Django.
Comments
Do you have a different or the same opinion about a book? Or even better: you can recommend a learning material not listed here. Do not hesitate to share.
comments powered by Disqus