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Computer Science

A Brief Guide to Reference Resources

[Guides to the Literature] [Databases, Indexes & Abstracts] [Dictionaries & Encyclopedias]
[Biography] [Handbook] [Current Awareness Services]

updated:  July 6, 2006
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Guides to the Literature

Computer Science and Computing: A Guide to the Literature. [SCIENCE REF QA 76 Z999 C67V 2006]
This up-to-date resource is a selective guide to the major sources and tools central to computer science and computing. After an introductory chapter, it covers other literature guides; databases, and indexing and abstracting services; bibliographies; dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks; directories, guides, and other reference sources; Web-based reference sources; and associations and publishers.

Computing Information Directory. [SCIENCE REF QA 76 M942]
A very comprehensive guide to the computing literature, but a little out of date. It contains descriptions of journals, newsletters, books, dictionaries, indexes, abstracts, software resources, review sources, directories, computer languages, standards, and publishers.

Information Sources in Science and Technology. [SCIENCE REF Q 158.5 Z999 H87 1998]
Contains a chapter listing information sources for computer and information technology. Earlier editions are available in the Science Library circulating book collection.

Databases, Indexes & Abstracts

ACM Guide to Computing Literature. [SCIENCE REF Index QA 76 B486 and SCIENCE REF ReadyRef QA 75.5 C61142X]
A comprehensive bibliographic reference to the world's English language computing literature including journal articles, conference papers, books, monographs, doctoral theses, and technical reports. The Science Library has 1977-1997. There is also a CD-ROM product called the ACM Electronic Guide to Computing Literature that covers 1980-1996. Request the CD-ROM at the Science Library circulation desk. The Web-based Guide to Computing Literature provides coverage from 1947 forward.

Aggregator databases.
Citations to articles and full-text from computing magazines and journals can be accessed using the Libraries' general aggregator database, EBSCO Academic Search Premier. The ACM Digital Library and the IEEE Computer Society Digital Library are publisher aggregator databases which provide access to their respective magazines, journals, transactions, and conference proceedings. ScienceDirect is a publisher's aggregator database that provides access to a large collection of Elsevier online journals, including computer science titles. All of these aggregator databases are available via the Libraries' "Database Finder" Web page <http://library.albany.edu/databases/search.asp> Accessible to University at Albany users only.

Applied Science & Technology Abstracts. [SCIENCE REF Index T 1 Z999 I53]  Accessible to University at Albany users only.
A subject index to popular and scholarly periodicals in the applied sciences. The Science Library has 1917+ . A database is also available via OCLC FirstSearch.

INSPEC. Accessible to University at Albany users only
The INSPEC database provides comprehensive coverage of the fields of physics, electronics, and computing from 1968 forward for journal articles, reports, books, dissertations, patents, and conference papers.

MathSciNet. Accessible to University at Albany users only
The Web-based equivalent to Mathematical Reviews produced by the American Mathematical Society. Indexes and reviews books, periodical articles, and conference proceedings back to 1940.

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

The Computer Science and Engineering Handbook. [SCIENCE REF QA 76 C57315 1997]
A comprehensive resource covering the current state of theory and practice by describing fundamental principles, best practices, and research horizons. 113 chapters are divided into ten sections: algorithms and data structures, architecture, artificial intelligence and robotics, computational science, database and information retrieval, graphics, human-computer interaction, operating systems and networks, programming languages, & software engineering. Four indexes provide easy access.

Encyclopedia of Computer Science. [SCIENCE REF QA 76.15 E48 2000]
A one-volume authoritative encyclopedia covering the entire range of computer science. Each article is separately authored and signed. Earlier editions are in the Science Library circulating book collection.

Prentice Hall's Illustrated Dictionary of Computing. [SCIENCE REF QA 76.15 N33 1998]
A comprehensive, up-to-date dictionary covering all aspects of computing. Illustrations and a CD-ROM enhance its content.

Random House Webster's Computer & Internet Dictionary. SCIENCE REF QA 76.15 M37 1999]
Provides definitions to over 3,000 computer and Internet-related terms.

Biography

Dictionary of Scientific Biography. [SCIENCE REF Q 141 D5]
This multi-volume resource includes essays on computer scientists. Published under the auspices of the American Council of Learned Societies, each essay is signed by the contributor, emphasizes the biographee's accomplishments, and includes a bibliography. 14 volumes plus indexes and supplements.

International Biographical Dictionary of Computer Pioneers. [SCIENCE REF QA 76.2 A2 I68X 1995]
Includes biographical information on a few hundred computer pioneers, managers, and financiers. Most entries contain a narrative along with information on education, professional experience, and honors and awards, followed by bibliographies of additional biographical data and significant publications.

Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists. [SCIENCE REF Q 141 N73 1995]
This four-volume set is a comprehensive source of biographical information on over 1,300 scientists active in the 20th century. Each biographical entry includes a two or three page essay, a list of selected writings, and a bibliography. There are field of specialization, gender, nationality/ethnicity, and subject indexes.

Handbook

Collected Algorithms from ACM. [SCIENCE REF QA 76.6 A83X] <http://www.acm.org/calgo/>
A compilation of algorithms published in Association for Computing Machinery journals. Each entry lists a title, source, author, certification status, and remarks. Also available on the Web.

Current Awareness Services

Alerting Services. <http://scilib.ucsd.edu/refshelf/ealert.html>
Alerting Services is made available from the Science & Engineering Library at the University of California, San Diego. It lists publishers, independent journals, and databases that provide email alerting services. This includes both those that support complete tables-of-contents listings as well as those that will maintain subject search profiles.

IngentaConnect. <http://www.ingentaconnect.com/> Accessible to University at Albany users only
An automated current awareness service that delivers the table of contents of journals or article citations by electronic mail. Search strategies can be created by journal, keyword, or author. Instructions on how to set up a profile are available at <http://library.albany.edu/databases/about/ingentahelp.html>.


For Web-based computer science resources
see the Computer Science subject guide
available at <http://library.albany.edu/subject/csci.htm>.