Library Guides: Computer Science: Reference Books +

Online Dictionaries and more

Find abbreviations, acronyms, terms, and definitions in the following online resources.

Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures
From NIST, National Institute of Standards and Technology, “this is a dictionary of algorithms, algorithmic techniques, data structures, archetypical problems, and related definitions.”
Free Online Dictionary of Computing
A US mirror site of the Denis Howe original (UK), find definitions of acronyms, terms, and short biographical entries on selected persons of note in this searchable database.
Webopedia
This online source provides definitions for words, phrases and abbreviations relating to computers and the Internet. Words are verified in multiple sources and updated as necessary; new terms are frequently added. Webopedia is part of the internet.com network of Web sites owned and managed by Jupitermedia Corporation, originally created as the PCWebopedia by Philip Margolis.
Whatis? TechTarget.com: IT encyclopedia and learning center
Search for terms related to information technology or browse categories such as computing fundamentals, software, hardware, Internet, PCs, networking, and telecom.

Handbooks and more in the Library

Reference Books
The following books are useful for providing brief, introductory information on a given topic. Dictionaries provide definitions of terms and phrases, encyclopedias summarize topical areas, handbooks are ready-reference sources of established knowledge, often specific to a discipline, and tables are compilations of data. Most of these books are located in the library (many in the reference collection) but there are some that are online (designated by "online" in the Call Number field).

Wiley Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Engineering
Call Number: Online
From "Abstract Data Types" to "WiMAX Networks", this online encyclopedia provides introductory information on a variety of topics relevant to computer science and engineering. Each article is written by an expert, and additional references are included.
Dictionary of Computing, 6th ed.
Call Number: Online
Click on the title to link to this online dictionary from Oxford Reference Online, then search or browse for a term of your choice. A print copy of the 5th edition is available in the Library on the 3rd floor at QA76.15 .D526 2004.
Encyclopedia of Computer Science by edited by Anthony Ralston, Edwin D. Reilly, David Hemmendinger
Call Number: ref QA76.15 .E48 2000
A one-volume encyclopedia that contains 623 articles by 450 contributors, the entries cover a wide range of topics including hardware, computer systems, information and data, software, mathematics of computing, theory of computation, methodologies, applications, and computing milieiux. Entries are lengthy and include bibliographical references for further reading. The appendices also include a timeline.
Encyclopedia of Computer Science by edited by Anthony Ralston, Edwin D. Reilly, David Hemmendinger
Call Number: Call Number: Online
Publication Date: 2003
This version of the 4th edition is available within the ACM Digital Library-- look for the title, Encylopedia of Computer Science, and click.

The entries cover a wide range of topics including hardware, computer systems, information and data, software, mathematics of computing, theory of computation, methodologies, applications, and computing milieiux. Entries are lengthy and include bibliographical references for further reading. The appendices also include a timeline.
Encyclopedia of Computers and Computer History
Call Number: ref QA76.15 .E53 2001
History is covered in all encyclopedias to some extent, but this encyclopedia intends to cover historical topics more extensively. Many articles contain references for further reading.
IEEE 100: the Authoritative dictionary of IEEE standards terms, 7th ed.
Call Number: ref TK9 .I28 2000
The primary source for terminology in electrical engineering and related fields.
World of Computer Science, 2 vols. by Brigham Narins, ed.
Call Number: ref QA76.15 .W637 2002
The introduction states that this two-volume encyclopedia covers “a broad spectrum of the most significant concepts, historical events, programming languages, devices, software, and people in computational history” (p vii). There are 800 entries, with the intended audience as students and non-experts.

More Reference Books

These encyclopedias cover a broad range of topics, including those of interest to computer science. If you are looking for introductory information on a topic, in addition to the titles in the box to the right that are specific to your discipline, try these:

Encyclopaedia of Mathematics, 10 vols + supplement
Call Number: ref QA5 .M3713 1988
McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science & technology : an international reference work in twenty volumes including an index, 10th ed.
Call Number: ref Q121 .M3 2007