Art of Computer Programming, The, Volumes 1-4A Boxed Set: Volume 1, Third Edition Updated and Revised, Volume 2, Third Edition Updated and Revised, ... and Revised, Volume 4a, Extended and Refined Hardcover – 31 Mar. 2011

These books are outstanding. The contents and text has been polished over the last half a century. The writing style is clear, witty and erudite. "The Art of Computer Programming" is a must read. The books per se are very well done: paper, cover and binding are high quality. They also come in rock solid case, which, however, I do not particularly like as it hard to take out a book when the case is full. I definitively recommend these books to everybody, not just to people into computer programming.

Being a System Architect, understanding computer programming on a complex level is essential to my job. However, I waited 10 years to purchase this boxed set, and finally decided to treat myself as I felt I was at a point in my career where they would prove useful. So I ordered on Amazon and a few days later a large box arrived with TAOCP, each book bound beautifully with a beautiful cover. Clearly books made to be loved and adored.After reading (or trying to read) the first few pages I slammed the book shut with a bitter look on my face, realising I was out of my depth with the complex algebra used to describe Knuth's algorithms.So I brought a book to teach myself Algebra to teach myself the basics, and then went back to starting TAOCP, except this time his algorithms made sense and I discovered a new joy in the beauty of this magic set of books. So now several times a week I sit down with TAOCP and curl up on the sofa with a smile as I read through these jewels of wisdoms.

I thought I'd already written a review of these books, but the button came up while I was in a reviewing mood, so you've got it again if you haven't heard it before.Anyone serious about algorithms, programming or complexity will already have these books.There are more accessible books on algorithms if you're learning for the first time, but Knuth is a legend and from a maths point of view it's hard to find fault with these books which are a reference everyone should have access to.High dimension and big data computing present challenges that aren't addressed here, but like Bill said, "If you have read all this and understand it, you should definitely give me a call".

You'll need to know your discrete mathematics for these books, but the depth and detail of coverage of the topics is unsurpassed. This is no book of algorithmic recipes, but presents an unparalleled range of algorithms for various common tasks. Your understanding of the problem you want to solve will be stretched. You'll have to consider aspects of the problem you never even thought of. But your understanding of algorithms will be deeper, better and broader than you had thought possible. If you're willing to make an effort to understand problems, this book will reward you. And you'll love it.

This is one of the great works in Computer Science. I find it hard but it is a joy to read clear and intelligent writing.

I bought this as a bit of a throw-back to my University years. It wasn't a part of my course curriculum but I read it anyway.On first reading, the maths was WAY too hard. I graduated and would like to think it will be easier now.It's still challenging but this is an epic work, still very valid fifty years after it was first published. I missed so much on my first reading. These aren't books - this is a computer science journey in print. Thank you Donald Knuth!

Love these Reference Books,I doubt if I will ever read them from page to page, to be honest understanding the 'hard bits' is a challenge!However I just love to tackle an algorithm, work out on paper what it does and apply it in practice. I just feel that more knowledgeable and these books have a lot of Algorithms to work on in Computing -It keeps the "mind" young.

A delight to dip into whenever there is enough time.