This is a classic formal text on computer programing.  It is probably the first book to formally define the art of computer programming.  
From the book: "The process of preparing programs for a digital computer is especially attractive because it not on ly can be economically and scientifically reqording, it can also be an aesthetic experience much like composing poetry or music."

The book was used in my first course in formal programming at Ga. Tech.  

While computer programming languages have come an gone, the fundamental algorithms have remained the same.