Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security, Second Edition - Hardcover

Kernighan, Brian W.

  • 4.23 out of 5 stars
    183 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780691219097: Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security, Second Edition
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0691219095 ISBN 13: 9780691219097
Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2021

Synopsis

A brand-new edition of the popular introductory textbook that explores how computer hardware, software, and networks work

Computers are everywhere. Some are highly visible, in laptops, tablets, cell phones, and smart watches. But most are invisible, like those in appliances, cars, medical equipment, transportation systems, power grids, and weapons. We never see the myriad computers that quietly collect, share, and sometimes leak personal data about us. Governments and companies increasingly use computers to monitor what we do. Social networks and advertisers know more about us than we should be comfortable with. Criminals have all-too-easy access to our data. Do we truly understand the power of computers in our world?

In this updated edition of Understanding the Digital World, Brian Kernighan explains how computer hardware, software, and networks work. Topics include how computers are built and how they compute; what programming is; how the Internet and web operate; and how all of these affect security, privacy, property, and other important social, political, and economic issues. Kernighan touches on fundamental ideas from computer science and some of the inherent limitations of computers, and new sections in the book explore Python programming, big data, machine learning, and much more. Numerous color illustrations, notes on sources for further exploration, and a glossary explaining technical terms and buzzwords are included.

Understanding the Digital World is a must-read for readers of all backgrounds who want to know more about computers and communications.

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About the Author

Brian W. Kernighan is a professor in the Department of Computer Science at Princeton University. His many books include Millions, Billions, Zillions (Princeton) and the computing classic The C Programming Language (Prentice Hall).

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Publisher
Princeton University Press
Publication date
2021
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0691219095
ISBN 13 
9780691219097
Binding
Hardcover
Number of pages
304
Rating
  • 4.23 out of 5 stars
    183 ratings by Goodreads

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780691219103: Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security, Second Edition

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0691219109 ISBN 13:  9780691219103
Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2021
Softcover