Re: YAC (Yet Another Challenge): Oldest Useful Computer Text

[blokhead]

On my shelf right now are:

• The C Programming Language by Kernighan & Ritchie, 1978.
• Compilers: Principles, Techniques, & Tools (aka, the Dragon Book) by Aho, Sethi & Ullman. 1986

Another wonderful classic that I've checked out of the library many times but haven't bought for myself (yet):

• Computers & Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness by Garey & Johnson, 1979.

Also not on my bookshelf, but this post reminded me of something amusing I remember seeing. One of the algorithms professors at my university lists

• The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Suess, 1958.

as a recommended textbook for his algorithms class, describing it as: "One of the best books ever written about recursion. And toilets." ;)