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In his introduction, the editor states that it is necessary for "all citizens to have a practical, theoretical, and historical understanding of computers and the major issues regarding information and communication technology." This reference work, aimed at the student and nonexpert, succeeds in providing that understanding.
Nearly 800 entries are arranged in alphabetical order. The topics are primarily related to computer languages, innovations, and specific types of commands; but there are many entries on the people who made significant contributions to the field. Examples include Marc Andreessen, Bill Gates, Kurt Godel, and An Wang. Many of these entries include photographs of the individuals, but other types of illustrations are few. Writing is clear, with plentiful examples that help provide a better understanding of computer programming structure. Related entries are indicated by boldface text, and each entry concludes with see also references.
Volume 2 contains a historical chronology that outlines the history of computer science from 1500 B.C. through 2001 and a bibliography. The bibliography lists many excellent Web sites on all facets of computers and also provides an excellent tool for updating this fast-moving part of the reference collection. Recommended for high-school, public, and college libraries. RBB
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A solid introductory reference on computer science, this two-volume set boasts an impressive list of advisors and contributions by 36 authors. Narins (who also edited World of Health and World of Mathematics) presents approximately 800 alphabetically arranged entries covering computing concepts, hardware, software, programming terms and languages, and the biographies of important contributors to computer science, which are particularly strong and often include a photograph. Internet terms are given good coverage, and illustrations and cross references are also used effectively. Three appendixes round out the information: a general index, a historical chronology of computing from 1500 B.C.E. to 2001 C.E., and a list of sources that contains web sites, books, and journal articles. Although Reilly Ralston's hallowed Encyclopedia of Computer Science (now in its fourth edition) covers similar ground, it addresses a strictly academic audience, while Narins's work is written with the "student and non-expert in mind." The arrangement is more straightforward, and the set is more lively and current, offering biographies of living computer personalities like Bill Gates, while Ralston's does not. For academic, public, and school libraries.
Colleen Cuddy, New York Univ. Sch. of Medicine Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
