TAOCP Deep Dive - Expanded Project Guides

Generated from: LEARN_TAOCP_DEEP_DIVE.md

This folder contains deep-dive guides for each project in the TAOCP learning path.

Overview

These projects mirror Knuth’s progression: machine-level understanding, mathematical foundations, core data structures, seminumerical algorithms, sorting/searching, and combinatorial methods. Each guide focuses on explicit invariants, precise algorithmic reasoning, and verification against theory.

Project Index

# Project Difficulty Time Key Focus
1 MMIX Simulator Expert 3-4 weeks ISA, execution model, low-level correctness
2 Mathematical Toolkit Intermediate 1-2 weeks Number theory and analysis primitives
3 Dynamic Data Structures Library Intermediate 2 weeks Lists, stacks, queues, memory invariants
4 Tree Algorithms and Traversals Advanced 2 weeks Tree invariants, recursion, iteration
5 Random Number Generator Suite Advanced 2-3 weeks RNG design and statistical tests
6 Arbitrary-Precision Arithmetic Expert 3-4 weeks Big integers and algorithms
7 Floating-Point Emulator Expert 2 weeks IEEE-like behavior and rounding
8 Sorting Algorithm Collection Advanced 2-3 weeks Sorting families and analysis
9 Search Tree Collection Expert 3-4 weeks BST/AVL/B-tree invariants
10 Hash Table Laboratory Advanced 2 weeks Hashing strategies and metrics
11 Combinatorial Object Generator Advanced 2 weeks Combinations, permutations, Gray codes
12 Dancing Links SAT Solver Master 4-6 weeks Algorithm X + exact cover
13 Boolean Function Analyzer Expert 2-3 weeks BDDs and boolean properties
14 Bitwise Magic Toolkit Intermediate 1 week Bit tricks, identities, proofs
15 TAOCP Visualization Suite Master 2+ months Integration and verification

Prerequisites

  • Solid C programming
  • Comfort with discrete math and basic proofs
  • Willingness to validate implementations against theory