This textbook is intended for a one-semester introductory course in computer science. It presents a broad-based overview of the discipline that assumes no prior background in computer science, programming, or mathematics. It would be appropriate for a college or university course for students not majoring in computer science as well as for first course for majors using a breadth-first approach that surveys the fundamental aspects of computer science. It would be highly suitable for a computer science course, especially the computer science basics course in colleges and universities.
This eighth edition of Invitation to Computer Science addresses a number of emerging issues in computer science. New material is added on ransomware, code repositories, new programming languages, data science, artificial intelligence, and drones. New and updated Special Interest Boxes highlight interesting historical vignettes, new developments in computing, biographies of important people in the field, and news items showing how computing affects our everyday lives.
Computer science is a young and exciting discipline, and we hope that this material, along with the laboratory projects and online modules, will convey the feeling of excitement to students.[based on Invitation to Computer Science, 8e]
Comprehensive and complete for Computer Sciences basic course
Feature-rich presentation of text
Interest-generating and student-friendly approach
Unit I
1 Introduction to Computer Science
2 Computer Hardware
Unit II
3. Software and Programming
4 Databases and Data Science
5 Algorithm Discovery and Design
Unit III
6. Operating Systems Theory
Unit IV
Computer Networks and Cloud Computing
8 Network Security
9 Cyber Law
Unit V
10 Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing
11. Computer Graphics
G. Michael Schneider is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also served as a Visiting Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University in New York. His professional interests include parallel processing, computer networks, programming methodology, and computer science education. Dr Schneider has written many successful textbooks on software development, data structures, computer organization, and a breadth-first overview of computer science. He was a member of the committee that authored the ACM/IEEE Computing Curriculum 2001. He has received Fulbright Grants to teach computer science and applied mathematics in Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, and Mongolia. He received his B.S. from Michigan University and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Judith Gersting is Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, where she now teaches part-time. An experienced educator and respected professional, Dr Gersting has written a number of leading college textbooks. Her areas of specialization include theoretical computer science and computer science education. She earned her B.S. from Stetson University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in mathematics from Arizona State University.
