Code vs Introduction to automata theory, languages, and computation: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Machine theory, Computers

Code

Code Charles Petzold · 1999 ★★★★☆ 4.4 393 pages · ≈ 7 h 17 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

Introduction to automata theory, languages, and computation John E. Hopcroft · 1979 ★★★★☆ 4.0 524 pages · ≈ 9 h 42 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Readers rate Code higher: 4.4 vs 4.0 from 10861 votes.
Code is the quicker read — about 7 hours vs 9 for Introduction to automata theory, languages, and computation.