How To Think Like A Computer Scientist, Java Version

The goal of this book is to teach you how to think like a computer scientist. This way of thinking combines some of the best features of Mathematics, Engineering, and Natural Science. Like mathematicians, computer scientists use formal languages to denote ideas (specifically computations). Like engineers, they design things, assembling components into systems and evaluating tradeoffs among alternatives. Like scientists, they observe the behavior of complex systems, form hypotheses, and test predictions.
The single most important skill for a computer scientist is problem-solving. That is, the ability to formulate problems, think creatively about solutions, and express a solution clearly and accurately. As it turns out, the process of learning to program is an excellent opportunity to practice problem-solving skills.
On one level, you will be learning to program, which is a useful skill by itself. On another level you will use programming as a means to an end. As you go along this book, that end will become clearer.
The order of presentation in this book is what might be called procedural first, which in general, the programming style is procedural (or functional) until the later chapters, which include a brief introduction to the concepts of object- oriented programming.