Solving puzzles demands a mindset that starts with a vulnerable openness followed by a rigorous drive to find a solution. Whether you're preparing for a programming job interview or just like a challenge, this book takes you on a tour of problem-solving techniques so you can dramatically improve your skills. You'll learn how to conquer simple elimination puzzles like Sudoku and how to apply heuristic techniques to far more complex problems.

Dr. Shasha provides you with the tools to solve several classes of puzzles by handand computer. These include scheduling,strategic, geometric, and probabilistic puzzles. You'll also find a mystery involving codes, bank accounts, and geography that you can solve for the chance to win a prize. The approaches and techniques in this book will help you solve the kind of application puzzles the real world may throw at you.

作者簡介：

Dr. Dennis Shasha is a professor of Mathematical Sciences in the Department of Computer Science at NYU. Along with research and teaching in biological computing, pattern recognition, database tuning , cryptographic file systems, and the like, Dennis is well-known for his mathematical puzzle column for Dr. Dobbs whose readers are very sharp and his Puzzling Adventures Column for the Scientific American. His puzzle writing has given birth to fictional books about a mathematical detective named Dr. Ecco. Dr. Shasha has also co-authored numerous highly technical books. Dennis speaks often at conferences and is a tireless self-promoter in the world of “mensa-like” puzzles.

Dennis E. Shasha

紐約大學柯朗數學研究所計算機科學教授，先後獲得耶魯大學理學學士、雪城大學理學碩士和哈佛大學哲學博士學位。《科學美國人》網站和Dr. Dobb’s Journal的謎題專欄作傢。除本書外，還著有《奇思妙想：15位計算機天纔及其重大發現》、Database Tuning: A Principled Approach、The Puzzling Adventures of Dr. Ecco、Natural Computing: DNA, Quantum Bits, and the Future of Smart Machines 和Codes, Puzzles, and Conspiracy等書。