The Self-Taught Computer Scientist

The follow-up to Cory Althoff's bestselling The Self-Taught Programmer, which inspired hundreds of thousands of professionals to learn to program outside of school!

Fresh out of college and with just a year of self-study behind him, Cory Althoff was offered a dream first job as a software engineer for a well-known tech company. However, he quickly found himself overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge he needed, but hadn’t yet acquired. This experience, combined with his personal journey learning to program, inspired his widely praised guide, The Self-Taught Programmer. Now Cory's back with another guide for the self-taught community of learners focusing on the foundations of computer science.

The Self-Taught Computer Scientist introduces beginner and self-taught programmers to computer science fundamentals that are essential for success in programming and software engineering fields. Computer science is a massive subject that could encompass an entire lifetime of learning. This book does not aim to cover everything you would learn if you were to pursue a computer science degree. Instead, Cory's goal is to provide an introduction to some of the most important concepts in computer science that apply to a programming career. With a focus on data structures and algorithms, The Self-Taught Computer Scientist helps you fill gaps in your knowledge, prepare for a technical interview, feel knowledgeable and confident on the job, and ultimately, become a better programmer.

• Learn different algorithms including linear and binary search and test your knowledge with feedback loops.
• Understand what a data structure is and study arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, binary trees, binary heaps, and graphs.
• Prepare for technical interviews and feel comfortable working with more experienced colleagues.
• Discover additional resources and tools to expand your skillset and continue your learning journey.

It's as simple as this: You have to study computer science if you want to become a successful programmer, and if you don't understand computer science, you won't get hired. Ready for a career in programming, coding, or software engineering, and willing to embrace an "always be learning" mindset? The Self-Taught Computer Scientist is for you.