It’s an introduction to a relatively niche new subfield. If I (an expert in the field but not the subfield) want to learn about differentiable programming, my only option before this monograph was to read through tens of random papers which use different presentation styles, terminology etc. Now I can read through the second half of this, around 100 pages, and jump back to the first half if there’s a prerequisite I don’t know.
That’s how most subfields are born. Assorted papers -> monograph -> textbook. The first arrow is defining the subfield as a discrete topic, which is immensely valuable. Only after you have that you can start optimizing for presentation to nonexperts.
That’s how most subfields are born. Assorted papers -> monograph -> textbook. The first arrow is defining the subfield as a discrete topic, which is immensely valuable. Only after you have that you can start optimizing for presentation to nonexperts.