Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security, Second Edition

Product Description
A brand-new edition of the popular introductory textbook that explores how computer hardware, software, and networks workComputers are everywhere. Some are highly visible, in laptops, tablets, cell phones, and smart watches. But most are invisible, like those in appliances, cars, medical equipment, transportation systems, power grids, and weapons. We never see the myriad computers that quietly collect, share, and sometimes leak personal data about us. Governments and companies increasingly use computers to monitor what we do. Social networks and advertisers know more about us than we should be comfortable with. Criminals have all-too-easy access to our data. Do we truly understand the power of computers in our world?In this updated edition of Understanding the Digital World, Brian Kernighan explains how computer hardware, software, and networks work. Topics include how computers are built and how they compute; what programming is; how the Internet and web operate; and how all of these affect security, privacy, property, and other important social, political, and economic issues. Kernighan touches on fundamental ideas from computer science and some of the inherent limitations of computers, and new sections in the book explore Python programming, big data, machine learning, and much more. Numerous color illustrations, notes on sources for further exploration, and a glossary explaining technical terms and buzzwords are included.Understanding the Digital World is a must-read for readers of all backgrounds who want to know more about computers and communications.
Review
"This is the clearest and simplest explanation of the world we now all depend on―how it works and why it does what it does―from one of our best-known inventors. Everyone on Earth needs to read it."
―Eric Schmidt, former executive chairman of Alphabet Inc. and Google
“[Kernighan's] credentials as a computer scientist are stellar but what comes through in this book is a humanitarian concern about the place of technology in the modern world. . . . The grounding [the book] provides in the fundamentals of computing and how the technology interacts with our lives will remain relevant for a very long time.”
―Steve Mansfield-Devine, Network Security
"This book takes the mystery out of computers and the Internet, and everyone can learn from it. With a friendly and accessible style, Kernighan connects what is happening inside machines to the news of the day and developments about the digital world."
―Harry Lewis, coauthor of Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness after the Digital Explosion
"Kernighan tells us exactly what we need to know about computers and computer science, focusing on ideas that are useful and interesting for everyday computer users. He covers a fascinating range of topics, including fundamentals such as computer hardware, programming, algorithms, and networks, as well as politically charged issues related to government surveillance, privacy, and Internet neutrality."
―John MacCormick, Dickinson College
"
Understanding the Digital World provides a broad overview of computers and electronic communications for a general audience. The book flows smoothly from topic to topic, and readers from diverse backgrounds will find it accessible."
―Bryan Respass, Bergen County Academies
About the Author
Brian W. Kernighan is a professor in the Department of Computer Science at Princeton University. His many books include
Millions, Billions, Zillions (Princeton) and the computing classic
The C Programming Language (Prentice Hall).