glimmer

So, You Want to Learn Computer Science?

This list inspired by my own college days along with the wonderful "Teach Yourself CS" website. Only has undergrad material since I never went further past that level myself. List is ordered in the way you should read the books; not a ranking. Please note that Computer Science != Software Engineering/Development, though there is of course some overlap between the two.

If I were a CS student today (as of 2025), I'd learn Python as a high-level general language (including OOP; I think Java sucks) and Rust for lower-level MEMORY SAFE systems programming (along with exposure to C for contrast; you cannot escape C -especially for OS and compilers- and every CS student needs to experience the joys of SEGFAULT at least once in their lives). You'd do well in learning how to write bash scripts and use the CLI also, just from a practical standpoint. Considering that Data Science, ML, and AI are all the rage these days, I've also added some 300-400 level texts for those too.

#3

#5

Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

1979 • 103 Readers • 574 pages 4.3

#10

Mathematics for Computer Science

2010 • 4 Readers • 1,048 pages 4

#12

Introduction to Algorithms

2001 • 62 Readers • 1,180 pages 3.9

#13

The Algorithm Design Manual

1997 • 42 Readers • 486 pages 4.1

#14

Computer Networking

2000 • 12 Readers • 824 pages 4

#16

Database Management Systems

1997 • 3 Readers • 1,104 pages

#20

#22

Crafting Interpreters

2021 • 31 Readers • 865 pages 4

#23

Language Implementation Patterns

2009 • 1 Reader • 350 pages

#24

Data Science From Scratch: First Principles with Python

2015 • 7 Readers • 500 pages 3.8

#25

An Introduction to Statistical Learning

2013 • 17 Readers • 426 pages 5

#26

Machine Learning for Hackers

2012 • 3 Readers • 322 pages 2

#27

Dive into Deep Learning

2023 • 2 Readers • 581 pages

#28

Cover 5

1986 • 5 Readers • 414 pages

#29

Artificial intelligence

1994 • 36 Readers • 1,153 pages 3.9

#30

Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

2007 • 213 Readers • 464 pages 4.1

#31

A Philosophy of Software Design

2018 • 98 Readers • 190 pages 4.1