Acknowledgments

This book and a lot more would not have been possible without my parent's constant support in my earlier years. My father, Mohammad Shafique, taught me how to read, and later write, in multiple languages by using novels, literature, and other means that are not a part of traditional education in schools. This book would not have been possible if my mother, Azra Khanam, hadn't trained me in counting, adding, and playing with numbers even before I joined school. It was of course my mother who, in later years, helped me apply for a course in computer science for further education. My younger sisters Sara and Rida have been constant support by probing status on the book and keeping me motivated. Thank you both of you!

This book would not have been possible if my dear wife, Dr. Farzana, did not help to work around the tough schedule and absorbed moments or absent mindedness this piece of writing that you hold in your hands, brought to my life. She would quickly place a cup of tea on my table whenever I'd feel exhausted. Thanks a lot, patient is doing well now after being done with the writing project.

I'm not sure about whether I'd like to thank or complain about the little, cute, and aggressive boy Alyan, in our house who was way too young and in the cradle when I started the book, and by the time I finished it, he had started plucking out my laptop keys. Alyan, I hope you'll not repeat our mistakes and you'll make your own.

Special thanks goes to my newly found friend and colleague Naveed ur Rehman, who basically turned out to be an inspiration for me to write such technical text. Thank you Naveed, I've utmost respect for you.

I would like to thank my editors, Nikhil, Ajinkya, and Naveenkumar, for going through the tons of mistakes that I made throughout the text in painstaking detail, being tolerant about it, and constantly providing suggestions on how to improve the content. I became aware of their hard work when I had the chance to read my own script carefully. Thank you, gentlemen!