November 2023 MBR The Computer Shelf

The Computer Shelf

The Shape of Data
Colleen M. Farrelly, author
Yae Ulrich Gaba, author
No Starch Press
www.nostarch.com
9781718503083, $39.99, PB, 264pp

https://www.amazon.com/Shape-Data-Geometry-Based-Learning-Topological/dp/1718503083

Synopsis: Whether you are a mathematician, seasoned data scientist, or marketing professional, "The Shape of Data: Geometry-Based Machine Learning and Data Analysis in R" by co-authors Colleen M. Farrelly and Yae Ulrich Gaba is the perfect introduction to the critical interplay between the geometry of data structures and machine learning.

"The Shape of Data" is an extensive collection of case studies (drawn from medicine, education, sociology, linguistics, and more) and offering a gentle explanations of the math behind dozens of algorithms provide a comprehensive yet accessible look at how geometry shapes the algorithms that drive data analysis.

In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of how to implement geometry-based algorithms with code, "The Shape of Data" covers: Supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms and their application to network data analysis; The way distance metrics and dimensionality reduction impact machine learning; How to visualize, embed, and analyze survey and text data with topology-based algorithms; New approaches to computational solutions, including distributed computing and quantum algorithms.

Critique: Comprehensive and exceptionally well written, "The Shape of Data: Geometry-Based Machine Learning and Data Analysis in R" is impressively 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, making it an ideal instructional resource for anyone with an interest in topology, computer hacking, or mathematical/statistical computer software. Also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.99), "The Shape of Data: Geometry-Based Machine Learning and Data Analysis in R" is a strongly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Computer Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note #1: Colleen M. Farrelly is a senior data scientist whose academic and industry research has focused on topological data analysis, quantum machine learning, geometry-based machine learning, network science, hierarchical modeling, and natural language processing. Since graduating from the University of Miami with an MS in biostatistics, Colleen has worked as a data scientist in a variety of industries, including healthcare, consumer packaged goods, biotech, nuclear engineering, marketing, and education. Colleen often speaks at tech conferences, including PyData, SAS Global, WiDS, Data Science Africa, and DataScience SALON.

Editorial Note #2: Yae Ulrich Gaba completed his doctoral studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT, South Africa) with a specialization in topology and is currently a research associate at Quantum Leap Africa (QLA, Rwanda). His research interests are computational geometry, applied algebraic topology (topological data analysis), and geometric machine learning (graph and point-cloud representation learning). His current focus lies in geometric methods in data analysis, and his work seeks to develop effective and theoretically justified algorithms for data and shape analysis using geometric and topological ideas and methods.

The C# Type System
Steve Love
No Starch Press
www.nostarch.com
9781718501584, $49.99, PB, 344pp

https://www.amazon.com/C-Type-System-Steve-Love/dp/1718501587

Synopsis: The type system is the foundation upon which all C# programs are built. "The C# Type System" by Steve Love will show you how to define and implement value types effectively, and write more performant and robust code. Real-world code examples and test cases throughout will elevate your programming with C# and show you how best to implement the principles you're learning.

Among the core aspects of working with the type system, "The C# Type System" covers: How user-defined value types, and even simple types, can enhance your code's readability; How reference and value types differ within C#; How method parameters and arguments relate to reference and value types; How differences in copy semantics between value and reference types affect a program's behavior; How the different methods of value comparisons for equality work behind the scenes; The unique characteristics and roles of various types in an application, especially how value types go beyond meredata storage; Why inheritance isn't optimal for value types; How to measure and evaluate the performance of an app's use of different data types.

Critique: Exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The C# Type System" is the ideal DIY instruction manual that is unreservedly recommended for novice users and seasoned programmers alike. Indispensable for learning how to turn good code into great code, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99), "The C# Type System" is an especially recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Software Computer Code collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Steve Love has been a professional C# developer for nearly 20 years, and has trained many other C# developers of varying levels of expertise. He writes for the ACCU magazines C Vu and Overload, and is a frequent speaker at conferences.

The Async-First Playbook
Sumeet Moghe
Addison-Wesley Professional
c/o O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
https://www.oreilly.com/publisher/addison-wesley-professional
9780138187538, $39.99, PB, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Async-First-Playbook-Collaboration-Techniques-Software/dp/0138187533

Synopsis: Distributed work is now inevitable, but conventional agile approaches are too "synchronous" for today's remote teams. Meetings, ceremonies, and rituals can become unsustainable when teams are scattered across the globe. The result: burnout, constant interruptions, a lack of deep work, poor work-life balance, greater frustration, and workplaces with poor diversity.

With the publication of "The Async-First Playbook: Remote Collaboration Techniques for Agile Software Teams", Sumeet Gayathri Moghe (Thoughtworks Principal Product Manager) provides tools and techniques to embed remote-native, asynchronous practices into traditional agile methods, making remote work more efficient, inclusive, thoughtful, and fun.

Drawing on extensive experience leading distributed teams, Moghe addresses the "nuts and bolts" of specific practices and the crucial "softer" elements such as culture, mindset, and leadership. Short, practical chapters show how to adapt traditional agile techniques such as sprints and pair programming for the realities of today's distributed environments. Whatever your project, you'll learn how to create asynchronous environments that promote success, improve the workplace experience, and deliver better results.

"The Async-First Playhbook" covers: Discovering why asynchronous collaboration is crucial to your project's success; Learning the tools, skills, and protocols you need to get right in order to go "async-first"; Mapping current agile techniques to async-first versions that better reflect today's realities; Becoming a more supportive and effective leader of async-first teams; Anticipating, navigating, and mitigating the pitfalls of async-first distributed work; Bringing it all together -- walking through your async-first transition; Accessing valuable resources, examples, and hands-on templates at the companion website.

Critique: Offering a complete and comprehensive textbook quality study and instructional guide that is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Async-First Playbook: Remote Collaboration Techniques for Agile Software Teams", by Sumeet Gayathri Moghe is especially and unreservedly endorsed and recommended for personal, professional, and college/university library Computer Software Design/Engineering/Development collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "The Async-First Playbook: Remote Collaboration Techniques for Agile Software Teams" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.99).

Editorial Note: Sumeet Gayathri Moghe is a Principal Product Manager and transformation specialist at Thoughtworks. He loves building great products for clients and leading engineering transformation initiatives. Besides consulting with clients he has also led a number of internal and external programs around knowledge management, learning and development, and capacity building.

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