Preparing for GATE computer Science
email : convey.arvind@gmail for any specific info
GATE is the postgraduate entrance exam to IISc and IITs and other reputed institutes ( see Recommended CS/IT Programs Outside IIT System)
The best way to prepare for gate is by reading the foundational books and start practicing problems. You can practice the problems from the exercises section or previous question papers. You can download previous exam papers from www.gateforum.org
contributors:
Arvind from CSA, IISc. secured 7 th rank in GATE CS. Have been helping students in gate preparation for last 5 years . Maintaining a website on Higher Studies Info and an orkut community for CS topics discussion.
Selva Shankar completed his masters from US in computer science, he wants to use technology to disseminate education information.
Seniors Speak Read the suggestions given by seniors on GATE preparation and choosing your course and institute . If you have already qualified GATE and wish to share your experience do send me a mail or leave a comment.
E-books
http://www.esnips.com/web/compsci/
http://www.esnips.com/web/gatecs ( courtesy of Abhinav )
Video lectures are quite useful to get a preliminary introduction to an unknown subject, provided it is backed by reading the book
http://www.aduni.org/courses/discrete/
http://www.aduni.org/courses/algorithms
http://www.youtube.com/user/nptelhrd has lectures by IISc and IIT profs.
Video lectures by Anshul Verma (IITD ), Abhiram G Ranade (IITB) are most useful
List of Books
Algorithms
Cormen’s Introduction to Algorithms
Data structures and Algorithms – Aho, Hopcroft, Ullman
The Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms – Aho, Hopcroft, Ullman
Algorithms – A creative approach – Udi Manber
Algorithms + Data Structures = Programs – Wirth
Programming Pearls – Bentley
Programming Interviews Exposed
How to solve it by computer – Dromey
Gries – Science of computer programming
Discrete Math
Elements of discrete structures – C.L.Liu
Discrete Mathematics – Rosen
Probability by Feller
Combinatorics by Tucker
Theory of Computation – M.Sipser
Computers and Intractability – Garey and Johnson
Architecture
Computer Architecture – A quantitative approach – Hennessy and Patterson
Computer Architecture Organization – Hayes
Computer Organization by V Carl Hamacher Zvonko Vransic Safwat Zakay
Computer Systems – A programmers Perspective – by Byrant
Operating Systems
Operating System – Gary Nutt
Database System
Database system implementation – Garcia Molina
Networking
Networking – Larie L Peterson , Bruce Davie
Compilers
Dragon book – Aho Ullman Sethi
Engineering a Compiler – Cooper
Choosing the institute / subject / MS or M.Tech / research adviser
Before deciding on the institute there are several factors to consider. You have to consider your field of research (MS) or project (M.Tech/ME). Then have to consider whether you want to get into research or industry. You have to choose your adviser in your area.
For those wishing to go to industry.
Go through the list of courses available at each institute website and get an idea – like whether they offer advanced subjects . Do many students take a particular course or professor . Does the curriculum has collaboration with industry. See the professors homepages and you can see ‘sponsored projects’ . Does the description interest you. See the projects done by the students and find if there is any collaboration with industry. Remember you will have to do project for 1 year…Which of the projects under which prof interests you. There are various project groups working .How do the students of a group fare after completion.
For those inclined towards research, you have to decide lot of things. The main thing is the adviser and area of research. Have you published papers already? Then it will be easier to pursue MS degree. If not , you have to choose your field. Are you planning to do Ph.D , then your work will be noticed when you apply for higher studies. So you need to have that in mind. For example, you cannot work in subject X for MS and apply for a totally different subject for Ph.D
Ask information from students already there by mailing them…If you have done enough homework like getting details and then ask specific questions then people would surely help. If possible ask them if they could speak with you in person or over phone. See the list of publications and try to find which group (of professors/students ) is getting publications in good conferences and journals. Try reading papers in an area and find whether that sufficiently interests you to sustain your motivation for two years. Its lot of work but worth it , to utilize your next two years well
csfundas 
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