Most computer science textbooks feature a lot of mathematical proofs that have little value for practitioners, who are working in the real world. Prof. Rahul Simha of GWU calls this “gratuitous math.” I reviewed one popular database textbook that had 40 pages of proofs that I believed would never be useful on the job. But this same textbook didn’t cover fourth normal form, claiming that it’s never needed and is of only research interest. After years of working in the field, I can tell you that you need fourth normal form quite often!
In addition, many professors seem obligated to present formal proofs for anything they discuss in class, so their courses spend a lot of time on proofs that won’t help students when they have actual jobs. My textbook has enough math to understand the material, but no more. There are no proofs that are not useful to the practitioner.
Most computer science textbooks are published by one of a few academic publishers, and sold through university bookstores. That’s a high-markup distribution channel. My textbook is available only on Amazon.
Most computer science textbooks are distributed in hard copy. Today, students want to read and use books in soft copy. My textbook is available in hard copy and in a Kindle edition, which can be read, using Amazon’s free reader, on a PC, a Mac, a Kindle, a tablet, or a cellphone.
Most computer science textbooks cost over $100; I was offered a publishing contract for my book that would have priced it at $120. One recent new book is priced at a whopping $250! My book is priced at $10 for the Kindle edition and $30 for the paperback.
Here’s a link to the third edition of the book on Amazon: Introduction to Databases: A Focus on Practical Solutions.
I wrote the book, following a 4-decade career dealing with various aspects of database. I’m also the owner of Web Marketing Advantage, a firm I established to bring the benefits of Web marketing to small businesses. One venture of the company is Gum Disease Information, a website that connects patients who have gum disease with providers of anti-infective therapy.