Programming Books

This is a deep, serious book about making information transmogrify, even if there are a few silly parts. I liked the funny parts and they reminded me of Goedel Escher and Bach

This book is a great introduction to learning how to hide data in places most people wouldn't think about looking. Sample code and various URL's are provided for places to start, this not the easiest subject to grasp, but the book helps put it at a manageable level.

A great place to start!...

This is a very easy read that does not really assume much about the reader other than mathematical maturity at the precalculus level, knowledge of programming in a higher level language, and a curiosity about hiding information in such things as images. In fact, I bought this book to get a grasp on how to hide a watermark in an image. The early chapters are devoted to material that forms the basic toolkit for steganography - private key encryption, secret sharing, and error correcting codes. The later chapters describe how to apply these techniques in various ways to hide information.

Chapter 5 discusses common data compression algorithms, not to the point that you could write an encoder/decoder system, but so that you know which allow perfect reconstruction and which do not. Compression leads to the topic of mimicry, which is the subject of chapter 6. Basic mimicry produces text that looks statistically similar to the original text but is far from perfect. Chapter 7 shows methods of improving mimicry techniques so that the mimicked text not only passes statistical tests for similarity to the original, but passes rules for grammar. This leads to the concept of context free grammars and their role in mimicry. Thus, you can hide data in realistic sounding text.

Chapter 8 concentrates on a robust and complete model known as the Turing machine. Such a machine hides data as it "runs forward", while running the machine in reverse allows the hidden data to be recovered. Certain proofs show that this is a stronger data hiding model than those previously discussed.

Chapter nine discusses a more image-processing related data hiding topic - hiding in the noise. What appears as noise to the untrained eye can actually be a message. Of course, the flip side of this is "real" noise has the power to obscure the hidden message.

Chapter 10 discusses anonymous remailers, which is the deletion of the name of the originator of a message by an intermediate node. Such systems can range from very secure to very insecure depending on strategies involved. Chapter 11,"Secret Broadcasts", is a companion chapter on how to broadcast a message so that everyone can read it but nobody knows the source. The solution lies in the "Dining Cryptographers" algorithm, and this solution is discussed at length.

Chapter 12, "Keys", discusses message keys as extensions to the concept of keys in basic cryptography, which was discussed earlier in the book. Adding keys to any algorithm discussed up to this point makes that algorithm stronger. Chapter 13, "Ordering and Reordering", discusses how steganography strategies might be disrupted by reordering parts of a message, and discusses methods that might prevent this from being a problem.

Chapter 14, "Spreading", is a more mathematical chapter than the preceding ones and takes a different approach to the problem of information hiding. It takes ideas from spread spectrum radio and applies them to steganography. This is the one chapter where a knowledge of calculus, Fourier transforms, and even wavelets will be helpful.

The last three chapters, "Synthetic Worlds", "Watermarks", and "Steganalysis" are short and more subjective than previous ones, mainly giving the reader a broad overview of these topics.

The book has a wealth of algorithms, equations, and simple examples. There is even a very basic Java mimicry program in the appendix. However, this is not a programming book full of ready to implement solutions - you will have to do that yourself. There are numerous references to web addresses where you can find both executable and source code for implementing some of the algorithms mentioned in this book. I would say if you are interested in hiding information in data of any kind - text, sound, imagery, etc. - then this book is essential reading. I highly recommend it.

I read the entire book from first to last page and enjoyed the content absolutely. The book has theory and practice, clear examples and many references to free and open source software to make tests. The math part has razonable level (not too much, not to little). I have no found anything better in the area.
Good for Peter Wayner!

P.D. ...

All in all just a fascinating book on a fascinating topic. In general, the introductory parts of each chapter are accessible to anyone with a standard 12 year education. The mathematics are best understood by people with a background in algebra and statistics at the American High School level, but not much more. If you buy this book, expect John Ashcroft to put your name on a list of people buying dangerous published works (and with the Patriot Act in place, I am neither paranoid nor joking). The best chapter is the one about encoding information in ordered lists. This book taught me how to include a one line hidden message in a 50 item list of my favorite Country and Western Songs of all time (and THAT is a cool thing to do).

I had no idea how to use dreamweaver. I purchased this book, went through it in a couple of days and now I can design a basic website without using those dreaded html codes. I highly recommend this book due to the fact that anyone can understand it. I'm now working through the Fireworks edition.

Dreamweaver 4 for Visual Learners is a user friendly manual packed full of information. There are tons of graphics and screen shots, and just enough text to explain everything thoroughly. I'm no Dreamweaver expert, and this book took me step by step through the basics; then some more advanced material without any of it going over my head. It will make a great reference for later on as well. Great manual Chris!!

I've read through several manuals learning different computer programs and none have helped me learn a program as fast as this book! The instructions and screen shots are clear and concise, and allow the user to focus on the actual work of creating a website. The author includes using the previous steps for extra practice before introducing the next skill(s). The spiral binding also allows the book to lie flat or be folded in half. A big advantage to users with small computer work areas. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to get started immediately. Visibooks are wonderful - thank you Mr. Charuhas. I'll definitely using your books in other subject areas!

I have been thru this book and used it to learn the basics of Dreamweaver... and I'm so glad I found it! Dreamweaver can be intimidating at first, and this book brought me understanding that only a visual book can do. I highly recommend it (and any of the other ...For Visual Learners books)!!!

As a computer training professional, I've read or reviewed dozens of training books/manuals and this is one of the most effective learning sources I've found. Mr. Charuhas takes the best training method available, visual learning, and incorporates it into a really well written training book. I would highly recommend this material to anyone interested in learning Dreamweaver in a down-to-earth and, more importantly, effective manner. Kudos to Mr. Charuhas.

Don't Blame Me!

Michaels set of cd,s has changed my life for the foreseeable future, I needed that little nudge that he describes in the CD and its amazing how quickly it worked.Michael certainly is the most genuine man I have met in this field yet!
he cares and is not just in it for the money, get this set and you will fly ,Thank you so much Micheal.
peter Blyth. WWW.nlpspain.eu

Great program ...

I would like to say that this 6CD set has surpassed my expectations. I knew it would be good because I've enjoyed Michael's radio show and books for over a year now ... I really do believe that the fact that there is so much useful stuff packed into this program that is all geared towards one listener - You - (It's like getting to call in to the radio show but instead of having a few minutes for Michael to coach you, you have 6 hours of focussed attention) makes this by far the best value I've gotten so far out of any book/CD program I've invested in. The value I got from this program was definitely greater the tiny investment I made. The information and inspiration this program contains has been, and I believe will continue to be, life changing in the most enjoyable way.

Thanks Michael.

g

Wonderfully produced set of cd's that are entertaining and helpful in numerous ways. A whole lot a "Bang for your Buck"! I highly recommend this set to anyone looking to enjoy the heck out of their life.

In "Effortless Success", success coach Michael Neill invites the listener to address two fundamental questions: 1) What do you want? and 2) What is stopping you from getting it?

The first half of the program is spent guiding you through a path of self-discovery to help you answer the first question. The second half helps you answer the second question. Filled with lots of exercises and hands-on activities, this 6-CD set is worth much more than its paltry price indicates.

In his easy-going, non-confrontational way, Michael can help you--and you don't have to spend thousands of dollars for a one-on-one session! Stop spending $ on coffees for one week, save the money, and BUY THIS NOW! You will reap the benefits for the rest of your life.

I highly recommend the CDs to be your companion wherever you go. If you want to have what you want in your life, buy these CDs NOW for yourself. After you finish with them, you will want to share them with family members, and even send them to others as gifts.

In one week, I listened to all 6 CDs, and as soon as I would finish one, I would be like a child on Christmas Eve waiting for tomorrow to discover what the next CD had to offer. The most amazing thing is that I continually found something new from the text and stories even in areas I was already familiar with and thought I had a good grasp on. I am curious to see what new nuggets of gold will be uncovered the next time I hear them. I have read two of his published books, (see my Amazon reviews), taken Coaching Mastery seminar by him, and received my NLP practitioner license from London (He was one of three trainers.) As a life coach, not only I, myself, practice his teachings, but also, I share them with my clients. So, before I listened to the CDs, I thought, "Well, I really understand what he is talking about..." WOW! I could not have been more surprised as I learned something deeper, beyond his words this time.

Michael Neill's trained actor's voice sets the tempo, and his enthusiasm and compassion lift up the language, and conveys a much deeper understanding than his talent alone. When you read a book, you read with our own voice, often thinking of the meaning in your own context of what you think is right, so you miss what's beyond the meaning and content, and in the process, what he was trying to convey. His ideas and stories are uniquely his own, and his own delivery lends a totality to his intended communication that creates an aliveness that can only be experienced. Visceral, emotional, and the sensuality of the communication, which is normally not fully present in a written form, in this medium, is amplified to the highest effect.

Another luxurious benefit is this: as he speaks, we can sit back in our most comfortable chair, close our eyes (which I actual did), and go into a quiet state of mind where we turn off our monkey mind that bounces from thought to thought. This way, you can be receptive and more open to what he is actually saying, and you can be present as he takes you to a special place in your mind, that will allow you to be in touch with your true inner voice.

Nowadays it's hard to remember that there was ever a time that Emigre was considered shockingly radical. With the massive surge of alternative type foundries and indie type designers, it's pretty hard to think of Emigre as "indie" any more. Not to mention the huge success of their typeface Mason--slapped over so many album covers and print ads in the last thirteen years that it's become a pest font damn near approaching that of Cooper Black or Hobo. But Emigre WAS radical, as this book reminds us. And they did more than just start a revolution in computer designed type. Their real value was to reintroduce a kind of type-centric design renaissance that hadn't really been seen since Jan Tschichold's "The New Typography".

Emigre made typographic design solutions exciting again. They also taught me a great lesson--type is something to think about and rant about--it's not just window dressing to go around the art. Who needs to design around a photograph when with the right font and some imagination you can ditch the photo altogether and have something considerably more challenging?

Anyway, if you can't tell, I think pretty highly of this book and agree that every designer should keep a copy around. More importantly, I think design students should look at it to get an idea of what IS possible with type--not just Emigre type, but with a true typographic approach to design, which I think the Emigre style embodies.

The book is several years old now and evidently out of print. Still it's worth the trouble to buy a used copy as they pop up from time to time.

The Emigre story traces the fascinating development of a magazine that introduced digital typography to the design world.

Rudy Vanderlans created Emigre in 1984, the year in which the the Macintosh computer changed graphic design and typography forever.

In its early years, the brilliant experimental type/design publication featured fonts designed Zuzana Licko, a pioneer in designing typefaces on the computer for the computer. Her early bitmap fonts, designed to be used on dot matrix printers, created an uproar in a design community that was already reeling from the drastic changes in typesetting and production methods. With the introduction of high res PostScript outline technology, Licko's designs became more sophisticated and designers began to appreciate the ability to design with typography in ways never thought possible.

This book traces the journey of digital type from shocking to mainstream and contains fascinating quotes from influential design professionals. Of special interest are many examples of the best work from the early Emigres, including all of the bold, memorable covers.

A must for every graphic design library.

Ever read that outsize magazine that always seems to have pages missing in your school library? Or maybe you have used one of the many typefaces from the Emigre stable...

This book is essetial reading for anyone with even a passing interest in design. The authors are designers (Vanderlans) and typographers (Zuzana Licko) of the highest order and seem to occupy an unusual middle ground somehwere between traditional print and digital multimedia. This book expounds their theories and shows why they should be regarded as highly by the public as they are by students and other designers.

The emigre magazine in one book, is cool, a impresive book, with a great size, like a big magazine shows the innovative design of the rudy vanderlas magazine trough the years, is a lovely book, buy it!

Somewhat of a biased reviewer, I recommend this book to any person that loves typography and wants to see the results of tremendous creative forces within the field. Or, if you have wanted to do something for a long time but didn't think you could do it ... also recommended for you.

I have as of this writing passed through about half of the encyclopedia and found it to be of the highest value. It has helped me to gain insights into areas that I am foggy in and also expanded my knowledge of areas in which I hold some expertise.

Ron Davis MCSE, MCSD, MCDBA, MCP+I, MCP+SB, MCT, CIW, CI, CTT

Have been using this for the past 7 years before going to Stanford and still now.

An excellent overview of Computer Science.

This really is an excellent basic reference for non-specialists who need to elaborate on Computer Science topics. This encyclopedia is comprehensive in its breadth of coverage, and directs the reader at the next level of depth through cross-reference to articles and bibliographic references for those who need to in-depth in an specific topic.

It will be a valuable part of your library if you are not a CS specialist have an interest on Computer Science subjects.

If you are a practitioner, you may do better with "The Engineering and Computer Science Handbook".

I have the 1983 Second Edition and it is, as I assume the pricey Third is,a reference of biblical proportions, a sort of Brittanica of computer science. Lucid, authoritative articles. But while I lust after the new Edition, the three figure price makes me too shy to make a pass. Pity. If you can afford it, buy it.

Two words for you - David Hemmindinger - Can this man edit or what? Was Very excited about the release of this book, excellent reference material. I think Dinger needs to write a book of his own next! I know I'll read it.

This book is a great resource for common data patterns. We plan to use these patterns in all future programming.

This book is unfortunately mistitled. It should have just been called 'Enterprise Patterns'. Perhaps the extra bumf in the title is attractive to some readers, but when I see big subtitles with 'MDA' and 'UML' in them, I immediately think of that most unfashionable of things in these Agile times: Process. Ugh! Dirty word! You may therefore be thinking this is a really tedious book full of bullet points and flow charts. But in fact it's a totally brilliant book, with a few flow charts and bullet points in, admittedly.

There's hardly any MDA in this book at all. There's a chapter on using a specific software tool to convert the patterns in this book into code, but I've already forgotten what it was called.

The meat of this book is a catalog of UML patterns associated with the enterprise domain. If you've read Martin Fowler's Analysis Patterns, you'll know what to expect: Customer, Party, Rule, Money, Quantity, Order etc. The authors mention Analysis Patterns, but call their patterns 'archetype' patterns. The difference between the two is that the archetype patterns are much more detailed.

So do you need to read this if you've read Analysis Patterns? I say yes. This is in fact better than AP, simply because when they say their patterns are detailed, they aren't joking. Fortunately, the authors advocate a 'literate modeling' approach, that explains the interactions in plain English, and the authors' writing is clear and unstodgy, effectively highlighting the important parts of each pattern, and where variation can be introduced. They claim their archetype patterns are sufficiently flexible to cover a wide range of enterprise, and I have to say they do a very good job of convincing you they've thought of most of the special cases, and how to unify them in one pattern.

Even if you aren't actually an enterprise programmer (and I'm not), I still highly recommend this book, just for the large number of examples of how to successfully model a complex domain. Plus, no tedious accounting or financial examples - bonus.

The MDA in the title of this book probably overstates the amount of MDA related content in the book. This isn't an MDA reference. There is one small, but well written chapter on it.

But that's a minor quibble. The real value of this book, and the bulk of the book, is in the third part which gives in depth models for the common enterprise application requirements. They start with an excellent object model for a 'Party' (as in a contact database), and continue on at the same level of depth for other common entities and processes, such as orders, payments, purchase orders, business rules, monetary values.

These patterns are probably too in-depth for a small business application, but they serve as an excellent starting point that you can trim to create a model that has the right level of complexity for your application. Don't let the big title of the book fool you. You can find books on how to write SQL, and generally how to model a database for a given problem domain, and other books on how query the database and make transactions. The value of this book is in giving you recipes for models for the basics of your application.

Over the last month or so, I've been reading Enterprise Patterns And MDA - Building Better Software With Archetype Patterns And UML by Jim Arlow and Ila Newstadt (Addison-Wesley). This is another one of those books that I thought would deliver one thing and instead produced much more than I expected.

Chapter breakdown: Archetypes and Archetype Patterns; Model Driven Architecture with Archetype Patterns; Literate Modeling; Party Archtype Pattern; PartyRelationship Patter; Customer Relationship Management Pattern; Product Pattern; Inventory Pattern; Order Pattern; Quantity Pattern; Money Pattern; Rule Pattern; Summary; Archetype Glossary; Bibliography; Index

Now, when I requested this for review, I was expecting something in terms of programming patterns and technical material. What I got was a great business tool for modeling typical business objects and transactions. The authors take a business concept like Inventory, and they build a model around it. The model is an archetype, or a entity that exists in some shape in every business. Through UML diagrams, you'll see all the parts that make up the archetype and how to take the parts you need to build your own version of the entity. While the Inventory model is very comprehensive in the book, you can also pull the pieces you need to model the reality that exists in your own business.

There's some very practical benefits you can gain from this book. If you're building an application and need to track a customer (for example), you can turn to the Party model and see all the parts that make up that type of entity. This will help you to understand all the data elements that make up a Party, such as address (web, email, telephone, geographic), organization, person/gender/ethnicity, relationship, etc. These are elements you might think of and/or remember to include, but having the model there helps you get it right early on.

If you're a business analyst, you will really get your value from this book. And if you're a developer who also has to design the systems, you'll look like a wizard when you complete a solid design with features the customer didn't even realize they needed.

Nominally, this book presents "archetype patterns", using UML and an extended case study. The archetype idea, intermediate between a general design pattern and a specific application, is a valuable one. In the case study, it's a set of business meta-objects, operations, and organizing principles. In presenting the archetype abstraction, those objects are spelled out in enough detail to create a useable framework for routine business needs.

The archetype mechanism is also spelled out in great detail, almost wholly within the UML framework. By itself, this won't be enough to convince any UML doubters about UML's flexibility. Taken as one among many UML applications, however, it's very compelling. It's also the first reference I know that gets down to cases in applying MDA - an interesting view. I fault the technique for only two things. First is a slight dependence on a specific CASEproduct, ArcStyler. That reliance never turned all the way into an advertisement, so I'll let it pass. Second is a baffling section on "rules." The rules and rule mechanisms make sense, but inexplicably seem to re-create the features of the OCL.

Two extras make this presentation very attractive. First is the mention of "literate programming," tying the UML tool suite to user documentation and design documentation. They specifically note XML and DocBook, existing standards, as the vehicle for integrating prose and technical parts of the model. Bravo! Even if their LP tools are weak, use of the idea is a real strength. The second extra is a pervasive awareness of standards. Money is phrased in terms of ISO 4217, nations in terms of ISO 3166, books in terms of ISBNs (ISO 2108), and on and on. Far too few programmers realize how many of their software requirements are already spelled out in external standardslike these, so the consciousness-raising exercise is a good one.

This is an excellent resource, not just for its business objects and not just for its UML case study. The author treat even personal names (table 4.4) with more care than I've seen anywhere else - that care pervades the whole book, and is a lesson in itself.

//wiredweird

This is the only book I've read that primarily tells you how and identifices specific places to invest your money to minimize risk due to the Y2K situation and mazimize profits. It recommends specific stocks and areas to invest in. And warns of the areas that are most likely to be high risk. There are tons of books out there that tell what Y2K is and how it can hurt your but few give any specifics of what to do with you money and investments to protect yourself. This one does! It's unique.

Whether you believe Y2K or not, expect problems and volatility in the markets. That means opportunity. This book and "The Survivor's Guide to The Year 2000" by David Epp are the best investment books I have read explaining how and when to profit from the coming confusion. I had my own ideas, but now I know how to make money at it. They even explain options for beginners to get started on a level playing field with the pros.

This was great reading. This is the only book that I found that addresses the potential effects of Y2K on the financial markets. This adds easy to understand details to the market sell-off that Dr. Edward Yardeni has now predicted. Mr. Elliott has covered many areas in the stock market and the commodity markets. This should be a warning to many Americans living abroad! Turn a disaster into a positive financial event. Only the foolish would ignore the impending potential from Y2K. This is a great how to do it book.

This informative, no-hype, "petal to the metal" book is a "must have" for anyone interested in being successful in trading the markets! Not only does Mr. Elliott explain the Y2K problem in detail, he does it in a way that the average person can understand. This book literally provides you with a "roadmap" to guide you through the twists and turns of the complex investment maze. With all the "bogus" Y2K information available to the public today, it is a breath of fresh air to have such a simple guide to understanding the real problems that will be facing us in the near future. Concise,straight forward, factual information that "anyone" can use and "everyone" needs. I will be giving copies of this book to all my friends and family so that they will have the ability to understand, and profit from, the coming computer crisis!

The author does a great job of introducing the reader to the full scope of the Y2K problem. Then he shows the reader multiple strategies for capitalizing on the millenial bug and even gives the reader the information needed to get started right away. An important book to read and re-read. If you know anyone who should learn about the Y2K problem, tell them to buy this book (you won't want to lend your copy out!!) Well researched and very complete. Well worth the cover price. Reading it has changed the way I am investing for the future.

Want to take your Mindstorms creations to new hieghts? Go beyond RIS? The ya have to get this book, a follow up to Dave Baum's Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms. You will not only see more NQC programming, but pbForth as well, and an excellent section on constructing your own sensors. If your the kid who doesn't grow up, an engineer at heart, and the owner of more than one RIS set because you are obssessed with Lego Mindstorms, then you cannot do without adding this book to your collection.

I don't know if I like the "Extreme" in the title. In many ways this book just covers the basics. In some ways I like this book better than Baum's "Defintive Guide to LEGO Mindstorms", because it's not so NQC centric. In other ways I prefer the DGLM because it had more info on structural issues. There is a knack to making good LEGO structures, and a few tips really come in handy. I would have to say that I find the DGLM more extreme as far as the variety and originality of the projects.

If Definitive Guide was wonderful this one is even better.

These guys have done a good work with the book.

Special mention to Gasperi's Homebrew Sensors section.

One of my library's jewels

If the Definitive Guide was wonderful this one is even better.

Special remark to Gasperi section about homebrew sensors.

This guys have done a invaluable works.

One of my library jewels.

i work with c and assembler, also i work with maya and 3d studio max on the graphics end. black belt in all of those fields. this book is bringing me to my white belt to black belt knowledge in robotics.dont think buy.

I thought this book did a great job at getting me up to speed on C#. I came from C++ and MFC development, so this definitely fit the bill for bridging me into C#.

Worth the read!

Excellent book. I am a VB 6 programmer making the jump to C#.

C# instead of VB.NET? Mostly because there seems to be more contract jobs for C#.

This is an excellent book. If you are a long time programmer like myself and want to get into C# programming I highly recommend this book. This book can make you a very functional C# programmer in a very few hours.

This is an excellent book for C#. It covers almost every topic in C# in a consie, to-the-point fashion. Whether you are new or experienced programmer, this book will give you a head-start on mastering C# concepts. If you are doing MCAD, this is the book you should read first for brushing your concepts. I like the portability of this book (400 pages). Big thumps up for Wrox Fast Track series.

If you need to learn C# in a hurry, this is the book that will get you up to speed. The entire "Fast Track" series from Wrox were written to help you learn a subject fast and this is especially helpful if your employer decides to convert to C# or any other .Net technology or language. I purchased both Fast Track C# and Fast Track ASP.NET C# Edition together. I am impressed with both books. The Fast Track C# book is 413 pages and the chapters are not to long. This makes the reading very easy and the chapters don't take weeks to read. The book starts out with the basics of .NET and C# and then progresses to more advanced C# subjects. Note: The authors do not go into great detail on the various subjects and you should augment this book with a more advanced books on C#. There are ample examples but the authors do not provide the "results". This is a book for the intermediate developer making the conversion from Java or C++ but I think Visual Basic 6 developers will benefit from this book.

In Chapter 1 - Overview of .Net and the CLR (Common Language Runtime), the authors explain the fundamentals of .Net.

Chapter 2 - Introduction to C#, Chapter 3 - C# Basics, and Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Features of C# provide the basics that you will need to know about C#. If you are coming from Visual Basic.Net, you might want to skip over these chapters but I read these chapters twice.

The authors explain the more advanced features of C# in Chapters 5 - Advanced C#, 6 - .NET Programming with C#, and 7 - Working with the .Net Base Class. These chapters will help you get beyond the "Hello World" type of applications. These chapters provide some real-world examples.

In Chapter 8 - Building Windows Applications, the authors explain all of the basics to windows development. The GUI or the presentation layer is what the end-user will be most familar with.

The next chapters will help you with real-world applications that you may encounter.

Chapter 9 - Assemblies and ILDASM.
Chapter 10 - Data Access with ADO.Net
Chapter 11 - COM and COM+ Interoperability
Chapter 12 - ASP.Net
Chapter 13 - Web Services

Wrox guys, you have done it really well. I am a beginner to C# but have previous experience with C/C++. Really wanted to get into the C# field. Tried 2-3 books but was bogged down by details everytime. Then I got hold of this book. Man this is awesome...really takes no time if you have some programming background..esp. OO related.

Just devote 1-2 hours for each chapter..and this will cause the Sams 24 hours series some serious worries.

Langdon and Poli do a fantastic job of summarizing the major theoretical results of genetic programming. The first chapter gives a quick and clear introduction to genetic programming. They continue with a comprehensive summary of previous research in schema theory, and then they present their exciting theoretical results. Their description of an exact schema theorem (microscopic and macroscopic) for GP is a bit dense, but they provide a good discussion of how to interpret these results. As a whole, this book is generally easy to follow, even with little prior exposure to genetic programming. Of course, this book is not intended to be a general introduction to genetic programming (one of John Koza's books would be more appropriate), but instead it is intended to present some of the theoretical foundations of the field.

This book was published in 2002 to provide a survey of the direction research had taken in the field of Genetic Programming. There is an explanation of what genetic programming is and how it is different from genetic algorithms in chapter 1(GP is a "generalization" of GA). Chapter 2 discusses the problems with the fitness landscape. Chapter 3 - 6 discusses various schema theory approaches and proofs. Chapter 6 has a great explanation of effective fitness.

There are numerous theorems and proofs in the book. There are informative examples of the max problem and the artificial ant (Santa Fe Trail) problems. Chapter 11 is about how GP convergences are a tricky matter and how subtrees can hide interesting incidences of convergence.

This is not an introductory text, it is intended for graduate level or higher readers. There is much theoretical work here and a limited background in this area will result in limited understanding of the material.

Langdon and Poli are both internationally recognized experts in Evolutionary Computation (EC) and, in particular, Genetic Programming. They have both contributed extensively to the theoretical "foundations" of GP and hence may speak with no small degree of authority about GP theory. As a physicist working in EC I like the balance that the authors have struck between mathematical rigor and understandable intuition. The book is not as rigorous as Vose's well known GA book. However, it is much easier to read. Neither does it take the "engineering" rule of thumb approach, as does Goldberg's book for instance. It covers very well recent important developments in the theory of GP and in that sense makes very good reading for anyone with a serious interest in EC theory. It is not for the novice, even though technically it is not a difficult book. It is really a research monograph and not a textbook. In that sense the title is a little bit misplaced. With the exciting direction the authors are pointing in I believe that in five years time another book of the same title should truly be able to lay out what are the foundations of GP theory and also show the theoretical unity that exists between the different branches of EC.

This book can be usefully read along with a companion text by the same publisher - "Introduction to Evolutionary Computing". Langdon and Poli provide a focused look, on the specifics of genetic programming. The maths treatment here is significantly more involved than the other book.

Foundations starts with what I suppose in this field is an obligatory section on the concept of a fitness landscape. A very useful metaphor of what you'll be attempting to do, as a researcher. However, the authors carefully point out the limitations of this idea. Notably that some spaces might have no natural metric.

The book then rapidly goes into the ideas of GP schemas and hyperschemas. Accompanied by a nice theoretical analysis of key performance goals like the rate of convergence in the GP search space. A solid offering to the GP researcher.

Currently working as an undergraduate student in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a Computer Science major I'm an intrigued by Genetic Programming alongside all motives of this in-depth field. I found this book to be a modest account of what is new and theoretical within this field. Expressing advanced features with a short introduction; this book is profoundly for somebody with somewhat of a background. A recommended start in the computer evolutionary field is:
An Introduction to Genetic Algorithms [1996], by Melanie Mitchell.