Best Books for GATE in CSE[edit]

Algorithms & Data Structures[edit]

Algorithms:

• Analysis, Asymptotic notation, Notions of space and time complexity, Worst and average case analysis;
• Design: Greedy approach, Dynamic programming, Divide-and-conquer;
• Tree and graph traversals, Connected components, Spanning trees, Shortest paths;
• Hashing, Sorting, Searching.
• Asymptotic analysis (best, worst, average cases) of time and space, upper and lower bounds, Basic concepts of complexity classes – P, NP, NP-hard, NP-complete.

Data Structures:

• Abstract data types, Arrays, Stacks, Queues
• Linked Lists
• Trees, Binary search trees, Binary heaps.

Book	Description
Introduction to Algorithms C.L.R.S	Cormen covers entire GATE syllabus (and much more) in Algorithms as well as Data Structures. Language is simple for most part but some mathematics is required to understand the analysis 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	This book is Mini version of Cormen’s book , this cover almost everything with short discussions ,which is written in Cormen with more pages. Use this book along with NPTEL lecture of Professor Naveen Garg . Actually if u see prof Garg’s 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 Computer Algorithms Aho, Hopcroft, Ullman	Another classic book for algorithms.

Databases[edit]

Book	Description
Database Systems Elmasri, Navathe	Covers entire GATE syllabus and especially good for file structures and normalization
Database Systems Connolly, Begg	Covers entire GATE syllabus and is easy to understand.
Database Management Systems Raghu Ramakrishnan	Another very good book especially for Transaction management and Normalization.
Database System Widom, Ullman, Garcia-Molina	Another very good book.
Database System Concepts Silberschatz	Very good book but English is bit high standard

Compiler Design[edit]

Book	Description
Compilers : Principles, Techniques, & Tools Aho, Sethi, Ulman, Lam	One and only book. If you find the explanations tough, start looking at the given examples, they are easy to follow

Operating Systems[edit]

Book	Description
Operating System Concepts Silberschatz, Galvin	Very good for learning theory in OS. English is good to understand. Writing style is pretty easy and fun. Enough for GATE
Modern Operating Systems Tanenbaum	The Book , but if you read Galvin it is ok , read Tanenbaum for more Knowledge. It contains great number of problems. Also includes some of theory that is not included in Galvin’s book.

Theory of Computation[edit]

Book	Description
An Introduction To Formal Languages And Automata Peter Linz	Most recommended one for GATE
Introduction to Theory of Computation Sipser	Sipser is a quick and comprehensive guide. It is recommended to be read after you have grip on the subject.
Introduction To Computer Theory Cohen	Cohen can be read if very good detailed analysis is required. SPOON FEEDING !
Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and Computation Hopcroft	In most colleges you will find this book as a Main book , but believe me within Cohen or Linz, if you read any one of them , Enough!

CO & Architecture[edit]

Book	Description
Computer Organization Vranesic, Zaky, Hamacher	Most recommended one and cache memory and pipelines are described well.
Computer Organization and Architecture : Designing for Performance Stallings	Another good book.
Computer Systems: A Programmers perspective	This is a really good book in perspective of architecture as a simple view of how the actual hardware is organised 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[edit]

Book	Description
Computer Networks Peterson, Davie	Most recommended for GATE
Data Communication & Networks Forouzan	Good book with Basics clear
Computer Netwroks Tanenbaum, Wetherall	One can not neglect the amazing book by tanenbaum. It contains everything in a very well written way. It is amusing 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 Top-Down Approach Kurose	Kurose is best for Almost all fundamental concept with clear figure and very understandable manners

Programming & Data Structures[edit]

Programming:

Data Structures:

Book	Description
The C Programming Language Kernighan, Ritchie	No comments- This is the best. To really understand the working of C, you must read this book. If you find this book 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 C Aaron M. Tenenbaum	Recommended for data structure concepts. Most of the data structure concepts are covered in Cormen, but for those finding data structure problems difficult to do can use this book
Parameter Passing University of Washington	This pdf describes parameter passing mechanisms in detail

Digital Logic[edit]

Book	Description
Digital Logic & Computer Design Morris Mano	No Comment… One and only…

Information Systems and Software Engineering[edit]

Book	Description
Software Engineering Pressman	Just see the GATE topics from this bible.

Web technologies[edit]

Book	Description
Web Technologies Basics Telerik Academy	This presentation is enough for GATE.

Engineering Mathematics[edit]

Mathematical Logic[edit]

Book	Description
Mathematical Introduction to Logic Enderton	Buy only if needed. The GATE topic is only till first order logic and these questions can be solved just by practising previous year papers. But NEVER ignore this topic.

Combinatory & Probability[edit]

Combinatory

Probability

Book	Description
A First Course in Probability Ross	Sheldon ross’s book (1st course in Probability) is undoubtedly very good. But you have to read this book very deeply page by page.

Set Theory & Algebra[edit]

Book	Description
Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications with Combinatorics and Graph Theory Rosen	Best book for Discrete Mathematics. Even covers Graph Theory.

Graph Theory[edit]

Book	Description
Introduction to Graph Theory Douglas B. West	First 4 chapters are important for GATE
Graph Theory With Applications To Engineering And Computer Science Deo	Good and concise books. If you have followed this book during bachelors, then it is enough for GATE.

Linear Algebra[edit]

Book	Description
Higher Engineering Mathematics Grewal	Grewal's book is sufficient for Linear Algebra in GATE (it is needed for other mathematical subjects)
Linear Algebra and its Applications Gilbert Strang	This is the best book for Linear algebra

Numerical Methods & Calculus[edit]

Numerical Methods

Calculus

Book	Description
Higher Engineering Mathematics Grewal	Enough for GATE
Calculus Gilbert Strang	If you have time, go through the book and videos in this link.

General Aptitude[edit]

Numerical Ability[edit]

Book	Description
Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations Aggarwal	Those having good aptitude skills can do without this book. But do refresh the problems in progression, cost-selling price etc. Questions in aptitude are easy but scoring in this topic is very important to the final GATE score.

Verbal Ability[edit]

Book	Description
A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning Aggarwal	If your English is good enough no need to buy this book. But I recommend giving a little importance to this topic.