Algorithms in a Nutshell

Creating robust software requires the use of efficient algorithms, but programmers seldom think about them until a problem occurs. Algorithms in a Nutshell describes a large number of existing algorithms for solving a variety of problems, and helps you select and implement the right algorithm for your needs -- with just enough math to let you understand and analyze algorithm performance.

With its focus on application, rather than theory, this book provides efficient code solutions in several programming languages that you can easily adapt to a specific project. Each major algorithm is presented in the style of a design pattern that includes information to help you understand why and when the algorithm is appropriate.

With this book, you will:

• Solve a particular coding problem or improve on the performance of an existing solution
• Quickly locate algorithms that relate to the problems you want to solve, and determine why a particular algorithm is the right one to use
• Get algorithmic solutions in C, C++, Java, and Ruby with implementation tips
• Learn the expected performance of an algorithm, and the conditions it needs to perform at its best
• Discover the impact that similar design decisions have on different algorithms
• Learn advanced data structures to improve the efficiency of algorithms

With Algorithms in a Nutshell, you'll learn how to improve the performance of key algorithms essential for the success of your software applications.

George Heineman is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at WPI. His research interests are in Software Engineering. He co-edited the 2001 book "Component-Based Software Engineering: Putting the Pieces Together". He was the Program Chair for the 2005 International Symposium on Component-Based Software Engineering.

Gary Pollice is a self-labeled curmudgeon (that's a crusty, ill-tempered, usually old man) who spent over 35 years in industry trying to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up. Even though he hasn't grown up yet, he did make the move in 2003 to the hallowed halls of academia where he has been corrupting the minds of the next generation of software developers with radical ideas like, "develop software for your customer, learn how to work as part of a team, design and code quality and elegance and correctness counts, and it's okay to be a nerd as long as you are a great one."

Gary is a Professor of Practice (meaning he had a real job before becoming a professor) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He went to WPI because he was so impressed with the WPI graduates that he's worked with over the years. He lives in central Massachusetts with his wife, Vikki, and their two dogs, Aloysius and Ignatius. When not working on geeky things he ... well he's always working on geeky things. You can see what he's up to by visiting his WPI home page at: http://web.cs.wpi.edu/~gpollice/. Feel free to drop him a note and complain or cheer about the book.

Stanley Selkow received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1965, and then a Ph.D. in the same area from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. From 1968 to 1970 he was in the Public Health Service at the National Institutes of Health at Bethesda Maryland. Since 1970 he has been on the faculty at universities in Knoxville TN and Worcester MA, as well as Montreal, Chonqing, Lausanne and Paris. His major research has been in graph theory and algorithm design.