HN Books @HNBooksMonth

It might be a bit too archaic now, as a lot of the terms and technologies discussed were on the way out even when the last printed version was published, but I did find The New Hacker's Dictionary very enjoyable in this sense.

Programming Pearls might be another good book that promotes enjoyment of computing; certainly a bit more technical, but I think plenty readable for someone interested.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Hackers-Dictionary-3rd/dp/0262680...

https://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp...

Recommended resources to consider:

* Code Complete https://www.amazon.com/Code-Complete-Practical-Handbook-Cons...

* Programming Pearls https://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp...

* Pragmatic Programmer https://www.amazon.com/Pragmatic-Programmer-Journeyman-Maste...

⬐ weej

One more I missed regarding review of architecture, code structure/design of OSS: The Architecture of Open Source Applications (Vol 1 & 2) https://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Open-Source-Applications...

⬐ wzel

Available for on-line reading at http://www.aosabook.org/en/

Take heart. The interview process is designed to say no. A common anecdote at Google goes like this: "I persuaded the best programmer I know to apply at Google. And we rejected him." These companies say no to all kinds of talented people every day.

Apply again next time you are looking for a job, if Amazon and Google really are the sort of companies you want to work for.

Think back on your interviews and figure out what you did wrong, then study up on that.

And next time, prepare very carefully, with a focus on algorithms and data structures. I would use this book, although it's a bit dated now: https://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Alfred-Aho...

This one may also be useful: https://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp...

⬐ deegles

I joke that the only people who pass Google interviews are the people who already work there.

⬐ rasz_pl

nah, repeat interviews after one year and >80% of already employed there would get rejected

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Edition-Bentley...

The classic Programming Pearls is not exactly a book of problems, but a book of ideas.

You can probably examine a few of the ideas and play with them like toys. Toys are more fun than problems.

I can recommend "Programming Pearls":

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Edition-Bentley...

It hasn't a lot of algorithms per se, but it has a lot of examples of how a different view on a problem can lead to an easier/more performant solution. It also does a good job at explaining tradeoffs. I think it's great for people that have had some basic introduction already.

[Ref link if anyone feels like it: http://amzn.to/1CnQUQ7]

For those of you who aren't familiar with the author's other works, it's worth taking a peek at his other books.

I can whole heatedly recommend Pearls of Functional Algorithm Design http://www.amazon.com/Pearls-Functional-Algorithm-Design-Ric...

It's a good cross between two other excellent books:

- Jon Bentley's Programming Pearls http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp/...

and

- Chris Okasaki's Purely Function Data Structures http://www.amazon.com/Purely-Functional-Structures-Chris-Oka....

If you haven't read all three, its well worth your while to do so!

And of course if you are going down the rabbit hole of reading Perls of Functional Algorithm Design then you need to read the "how to read Pearls of Functional Algorithm design" as well.

http://www.atamo.com/blog/how-to-read-pearls-by-richard-bird...

⬐ vishnugupta

Seconded! Also, I'd highly recommend "Introduction to Functional Programming using Haskell" by the same author. This was the book that set me forth on the path of FP during post graduation. Though, professionally, I've been programming in Java for close to a decade now most of the FP principals have held me in good stead.

[edit] Preface says "The present book is a completely rewritten version of the second edition of my Introduction to Functional Programming using Haskel" so my recommendation is moot.

Check these books:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Algorithm-Design-Manual-ebook/dp/B...

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp/...

Prefer Python ?

http://www.amazon.com/Python-Algorithms-Mastering-Language-E...

http://www.amazon.com/Structures-Algorithms-Python-Michael-G...

Try Skiena's "Algorithm Design Manual" [0]. Another nice book would be "Programming Pearls" [1].

[0] http://www.amazon.com/Algorithm-Design-Manual-Steven-Skiena/... [1] http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Edition-Bentley...

There are a number of programming books that I use to prepare for technical interviews. These are

1. Programming pearls, http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp/...

2. Effective C++, http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Specific-Improve-Programs-De...

3. Programming Problems, http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Problems-Primer-Technical-...

The reason for these texts is not because they are overtly insightful or well written, it is because they have a large number of problems with completely coded solutions. After working through these basics, programming interviews are much more enjoyable.

In fairness, Programming Pearls is a fairly well known, well regarded book-

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp/...

If you have time, get Programming Pearls by Jon Bentley (http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp/...)

⬐ laluser

Although a great book, I don't think there is enough material covered to prepare one for a tech interview.

⬐ laz

This isn't the only prep that you'd need, but this is a good one to get your mind in the right place.

(I've given ~2 "big tech" interviews a week pretty solid for the past 6 years)

Programming Pearls is another excellent book in this realm.

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp/...

⬐ kragen

Programming Pearls is excellent, but it has very little in common with Hacker's Delight, except that both are excellent books about programming. HD is specifically about the kinds of low-level tricks we're talking about here, while PP generally is not.

Thank you for your answers. To add something myself, the book Programming Pearls contains exactly this - short, elegant solutions, plus some extra food for thought and exercises.

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-Jon-Bentley/dp/...

Solutions in Programming Pearls. Each solution is iteratively improved with the proper reasoning.

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-ACM-Press/dp/02...

The bibliography link in the original article was unfortunately broken.

Bentley is also well known for his book "Programming Pearls." The 2nd edition is still in print.

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-ACM-press/dp/02...

Programming Pearls, by Jon Bentley:

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Pearls-2nd-ACM-Press/dp/02...