Pattern on the Stone Review

The Pattern on the Stone, is the first book my computer science class assigned for us all to read. The book was written by W. Daniel Hillis, A very intelligent man. Throughout the entire book, he manages to explain the processes of how computers work in a incredibly easy and understandable format. For me personally I noticed how instead of over complicating the ideas that make computers work, simplified it down to its smallest form. While explaining how the certain idea helps run a computer and how each component works together to work as a single unit. Not once while reading this book was I not intrigued with the information, the format of the book helps keep the reader wanting to learn more. Simply because the author describes the general process of the idea, creating a desire to read and learn more. Intriguing the reader to expand their own research on the concepts. For example, at the beginning of the course I was interested with how algorithms operate, and help process information, and how they are guaranteed to complete any specific goal. Further finding out that while in some cases a specific algorithm can be the best choice for certain set of information, but could be the worst case for another set of information. Leaving it up to the programmer to interpret what would be the best case for the information. Now before I took this course, and before I even cracked open this book for the first time, I had no clue how a computer worked. Not even a clue, but with the help of this book I finally have obtained enough information to give me a general idea on how a computer works, and how code can influence a computer to do anything the writer tells it to preform.  The way he relates the processes a computer operates in to general objects and information that the reader can use to help better understand the process, makes the information in the book easier to retain. This book is perfect for any one who is even remotely interested in how computers operate, and how the language used can create anything imaginable. I would recommend this book to anyone who shows interest in this field, the entire reading process was easy and incredibly informative. Speaking for myself and my fellow classmates, this book has helped us beyond measure. And started what I believe is a great start to a promising year of computer science.