BEST BOOKS FOR GATE IN CSE

GATE SYLLABUS

AUTHOR

EDITION

RELEVANT CHAPTERS

NAME
Engineering Mathematics

Rosen

1,2,6-11

Digital Logic

Morris Mano

1-6

Programming

Dennis Richie

1-6

Data Structures and

Cormen

1-4,6-8,10-12,15,16,22-24,34

Theory of Computation

Peter Linz

1-12

Computer Networks

Kurose &

1-5,8

1-3,5,6,8,9

Algorithms

Ross
Computer Organization

Carl

and Architecture

Hamacher

Operating System

Galvin

1-15

Databases

Korth

1-4,6-8,10,11,14,15

Compiler Design

Aho& Ullman

1-9

Algorithms & Data Structures

Description
Book
Cormen covers entire GATE syllabus (and much more) in
Introduction to

Algorithms as well as Data Structures. Language is simple for most

Algorithms

part but some mathematics is required to understand the analysis

C.L.R.S

parts. (This book is only for learning algorithms and theory of data
structures and there is no sample programs given in it)

Fundamentals of
Computer
Algorithms
Rajasekaran, Sahni,
Horowitz
Algorithm Design:

This book is Mini version of Cormens book, this cover almost

Foundations,

everything with short discussions, which is written in Cormen with

Analysis, and

more pages.

Internet Examples

Use this book along with NPTEL lecture of Professor Naveen Garg .

Michael T. Goodrich

Actually if u sees prof Gargs Nptel upon DS you will find slides are
taken from this book. Slides are available online in the following
link: http://ww3.algorithmdesign.net/handouts/

Design & Analysis of

Another classic book for algorithms- See the reviews in Amazon

Computer
Algorithms
Aho, Hopcroft, Ullman
Algorithm Design

Develops the intuition behind algorithms with excellent examples.

Eva Tardos, Jon

Dynamic programming and Greedy algorithm are explained best.

Kleinberg

Many consider this to be better and more approachable than

CLRS. This book and CLRS are the only two you'll ever need, even
without a tutor.

Databases
Book

Description

Database Systems

Covers entire GATE syllabus and especially good for file

Elmasri, Navathe

structures and normalization

Database Systems

Covers entire GATE syllabus and is easy to understand.

Connolly, Begg
Database Management

Another very good book especially for Transaction

Systems

management and Normalization.

Raghu Ramakrishnan
Database System

Another very good book.

Widom, Ullman, Garcia-Molina

Database System Concepts

Very good book but English is bit high standard

Silberschatz

Compiler Design
Book

Description

Compilers : Principles,

One and only book. If you find the explanations tough,

Techniques, & Tools

start looking at the given examples, they are easy to

Aho, Sethi, Ulman, Lam

follow

"Compiler Design in C"

A more practical and example oriented approach toward

Allen I Holub

compilers. You'll actually be able to construct a compiler

after reading this. The perfect supplement to the "Dragon
book".

Operating Systems
Book

Description

Operating System

Very good for learning theory in OS. English is good to

Concepts Silberschatz,

understand. Writing style is pretty easy and fun. Enough for

Galvin

GATE

Modern Operating

The Book , but if you read Galvin it is ok , read Tanenbaum for

Systems Tanenbaum

more Knowledge. It contains great number of problems. Also

includes some of theory that is not included in Galvins book.

Operating Systems :

Strikes the perfect balance between theory and

Internals and Design

implementation. Galvin makes OS look too easy, which it isn't.

Principles William Stallings

To the uninitiated, Tanenbaum may bog you down in

implementation specific details, so much so that at times, you
may lose sight of the forest a midst the trees. This book
paired with Tanenbaum strikes the perfect balance.

Theory of Computation
Webpage for Theory of Computation

Book
An Introduction To Formal

Description
Most recommended one for GATE

Languages and
Automata Peter Linz
Introduction to Theory of

Sipser is a quick and comprehensive guide. It is

Computation Sipser

recommended to be read after you have grip on the subject.

Introduction to Automata

In most colleges you will find this book as a Main book, but

Theory, Languages, and

believe me, if you read Linz, Enough!

Computation Hopcroft

CO & Architecture

Webpage for CO & Architecture

Book

Description

Computer

Most recommended one and cache memory and pipelines are

OrganizationVranesic, Zaky,

described well.

Hamacher
Computer Organization and

This is the preferred text in most top institutions of India.

Design Hennessy, Patterson

Even NPTEL IIT D lectures are based on it. That book is simply
awesome, right from Basics to pipelining and advanced topics.

Computer Organization and

Another good book.

Architecture : Designing for

Performance Stallings
Computer Systems : An

Among two of the best introductions to this subject, the other

Integrated Approach to

one being by Carl Hamacher.

Architecture and Operating

Systems
Ramachandran
Computer Systems: A

This is a really good book in perspective of architecture as a

Programmers perspective

simple view of how the actual hardware is organized is given.

Apart from the classical confusing diagrams, this book has
simple ones which is quite clear in its meaning. The
explanation for pipeline execution and hazards are really
good. This book is no longer in print, but you can get its pdf by
clicking in the link provided. Highly recommended if you have
time as this covers many of the other CS subjects as well.

Computer Networks
Webpage for Computer Networks

Book
Computer Networks

Description
Most recommended for GATE

Peterson, Davie
Data Communication &

Good book with Basics clear

Networks Forouzan
Computer

One cannot neglect the amazing book by tanenbaum. It

NetwroksTanenbaum,

contains everything in a very well written way. It is amusing

Wetherall

and it deals with issues in a manner you want to do. If you are
starting the subject, go with it. It is not recommended for last
time reading. Keep making good notes if you read his book.

Computer Networking: A

Kurose is best for Almost all fundamental concept with clear

Top-Down ApproachKurose

figure and very understandable manners

Programming & Data Structures

Webpage for Programming & Data Structures

Book

Description

The C Programming

No comments- This is the best. To really understand the

Language Kernighan,

working of C, you must read this book. If you find this book

Ritchie

tough, that means you have to correct your concepts by

talking to knowledgeable people. Many local books, skips
difficult to digest concepts and make easy to read books- but
to get everything you have to follow this book.

Data Structures Using

Recommended for data structure concepts. Most of the data

CAaron M. Tenenbaum

structure concepts are covered in Cormen, but for those

finding data structure problems difficult to do can use this

book
Parameter Passing

This pdf describes parameter passing mechanisms in detail

University of Washington
Data Structures and

For those knowing Java, this book would be good to

Algorithms in JavaRoberto

understand Data Structures

Tamassia Michael T.
Goodrich
C Programming King

Can't praise this one highly enough. Wins hands down over
K&R as both introductory and intermediate resource for
learning C. Especially attractive are the "Q & A" sections, which
highlight points that don't get a place in the conventional C
literature. Even compares and contrasts the C99 standard
with the classic "K&R" style C, wherever differences may arise.
Has entire chapters dedicated to topics that don't even get
mentioned in other books. Just take a look at one of the
copies floating around online and you'll get the idea.

Pointers on C Kenneth Reek

Another gem of a book. Contrary to its name, this book is not

only about pointers, though pointers get their significant
share.

Understanding and Using C

If you got to have a book on pointers and memory

Pointers Richard Reese

management in C, this should be it, not the one by Kanetkar.

Digital Logic
Digital Logic & Computer Design Morris Mano

Engineering Mathematics
Combinatory & Probability
Book

Description

A First Course in

Sheldon Rosss book (1st course in Probability) is undoubtedly

Probability Ross

very good. But you have to read this book very deeply page by
page.

Discrete Mathematics
Book

Description

Discrete Mathematics

Best book for Discrete Mathematics. Even covers Graph Theory

and Its Applications with

and Mathematical logic portions for GATE.

Combinatorics and
Graph Theory Rosen

Graph Theory
Book
Introduction to Graph

Description
First 4 chapters are important for GATE

Theory Douglas B. West

Graph Theory With

Good and concise books. If you have followed this book during

Applications To

bachelors, then it is enough for GATE.

Engineering And
Computer Science Deo

Linear Algebra
Book

Description

Higher Engineering

Grewal's book is sufficient for Linear Algebra in GATE (it is needed

Mathematics Grewal

for other mathematical subjects)

Linear Algebra and its

This is the best book for Linear algebra

Applications Gilbert
Strang

Calculus
Book
Higher Engineering

Description
Enough for GATE

Mathematics Grewal
Calculus
Gilbert Strang

Recommended for those who love Mathematics.

DISCRETE MATHEMATICS
I started my preparation with discrete maths, and I would recommend you also to start with
this particular subject because this is the subject from where Computer Science spreads out.
Understanding of this subject is very important. I used following books:

1. Discrete maths and its applications By Kenneth Rosen

This is an excellent book for GATE preps. Lot of problems are given at the end of every
chapter plus answers are also given to odd numbered exercises. The explanation in this
book is really very good and easy to understand. This book is must read for GATE
preps.
2. book by Tremblay and Manohar
I recommend you to read this book after you have read Rosens book. The contents in
this book is hard to comprehend. You need to have your basics cleared before you
attempt this book. This book is also a must read. I also have the lecture notes on
discrete maths from some prof at McGuire university the advanced counting and
recurrence relation part is good.
ALGORITHMS
I recommend to you to read this subject along with Discrete maths or after you have
completed discrete maths. I used only one book for this subject and found that to be more
than enough for GATE.

1. Introduction to Algorithms By T.H.Cormen et al.

This is THE book for Algorithms. The Book is simply brilliant, it makes you understand
every detail of Algorithms. So this book is a must read. Although I did not read the
entire thing. Here is the list of chapters that I had read. If you are interested of course
you can read the entire book.

Chapter 1,2,3,4[excluding 4.4],6,7[excluding 7.3],8,10,11[excluding 11.5],12[excluding

12.4],18,22,23,24[excluding 24.4 and 24.5] for NP-Completeness you can read 34 also. In
addition to this book I strongly recommend you to see the video lectures from MIT. The
lectures are given by Lieserson[who BTW is also one of the authors of CLRS] and Erik demaine.

The lectures are absolutely brilliant. You may download them from Free Online Course
Materials (http://ocw.mit.edu/)

DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

I used Korth and Navathe for this. Initially I read korth because it is lucid and then only for
normalization i read Navathe. The database design part in korth is difficult so read this part
with utmost concentration and you may require several readings before you begin to
understand things.

OPERATING SYSTEMS
Read this from following books:

1. Operating System Concepts By Galvin et al.

2. Stallings

Attempt problems in Stallings they are very important especially problems on memory
management and virtual memory. In Galvin the theory on memory management is excellent.

COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
Read this from following books

1. Computer Architecture By Morris mano

2. Computer Organization By Zacky,hamacher
3. Computer Organization Hardware/Software Interface By Hennessey and Patterson

Read book 1 almost completely then read memory system from book 2 then you can read
book 3, I had read only the performance measurement chapter from book 3 as it is not given in
any other book and also solve numerical from exercises they are very important. I recommend
you to read this subject after Digital Design.

COMPUTER NETWORKS
I had read this subject only from forouzan and had read some chapters from Comers book.
Attempt the exercises from forouzan they are important.

C programming
You read this from the C programming language by kernighan and Ritchie that is more than
enough plus spend some time in actually programming in C that is the best way you can learn
C.

C++
I dont know C++ much and I did not read anything for C++. Dont be spoiled, you can read C++
complete reference if you wish to.

Compiler Design
People say Ullmans book is excellent so you can read it from Ullman if you believe People.

In the final phase of your preps try to solve GATE papers. The answers for the GATE papers
are not present anywhere but still you should attempt them anyway. This will give you
confidence that you can actually solve GATE. You can read all the subjects given here you can
skip one or two if you dont have much time but more important thing is to MASTER at least 2
or 3 subjects.