in reply to OT: Lobbying college library for Knuth's "Art of Computer Programming"

Well, one of the arguments is that there are things that never change (or rather change extremely slowly). For example, books on Assembly language programming. They haven't changed much during the last 20 years. "Art of Computer Programming" is mostly about concepts that never change (or, again, rather change extremely slowly).

As another good argument in your case I would consider a collection of reviews for the books you want your library dean to consider. One of the places for reviews of technical books is of course Slashdot.

Leonid Mamtchenkov aka TVSET

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Re: Re: OT: Lobbying college library for Knuth's "Art of Computer Programming"
by RMGir (Prior) on Oct 21, 2003 at 11:49 UTC
    I agree with the basic premise of your post, TVSET, that some fundamental texts don't need to change too often.

    However, I disagree with your example.

    For example, books on Assembly language programming. They haven't changed much during the last 20 years.

    You know about that whole VLIW thing that popped up recently, right?

    If you are unfortunate enough to have to look at itanium assembler, you're going to have a tough time doing it with a reference from 20 years ago at your side. It's _very_ different.

    Just about like doing perl 5 using K&R would be...


    Mike
[reply]
      Point taken. Maybe I could have been more specific, like: "For example, books on 80386 Assembly language prgramming. They haven't changed much during the last 20 years." :)

      Leonid Mamtchenkov aka TVSET

[reply]
        I didn't know the 386 has existed for such a long time. :)

        Makeshifts last the longest.

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