Fundamentals of interactive computer graphics. (book reviews) Stephen Gray.

Fundamentals of Interactive Computer Graphics, by James D. Foley and Andries Van Dam. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA. 680 pages, hardcover $34.95. 1982.

The latest in the publisher's Systems Programming Series (sponsored by IBM Corp.), this handsome book, designed to provide both a tutorial and a reference source, "presents graphics concepts and recent advances in graphics hardware and software," according to the jacket, which adds, "The authoris develop a complete graphics application program in Pascal, using the new Core System of standard graphics subroutines proposed by ACM's Siggraph."

The 17 chapters are presented in a shell sequence. Shell One covers the basics; Shell Two, mathematics, data structures and display architecture; Shell Three, modern raster technology; and Shell four, making realistic synthetic photographs. An extensive, 29-page bibliography is included.

Although no previous background in graphics is needed, the authors assume "A basic background in programming and data structures, and some familiarity with computer architecture." They also assume a knowledge of matrices and differential calculus.

Although slightly stuffy, the writing is authoritative, detailed, and clarified by many drawings and photographs, including a section of 28 color plates. This is one of the best computer graphics texts available, either for classroom use or for individual reading.

Review Grade: B