The point was not to dismiss NR but use it as a good start to know about various algorithms (ignore the idiotic software licensing terms). Agreed that for usage

The point was not to dismiss NR but use it as a good start to know about various algorithms (ignore the idiotic software licensing terms). Agreed that for usage itself, a well known library is to be preferred (my first goto is GSL) unless one knows (and needs) better. The list of alternatives itself is from 2001 and hence does not have later published books. A google search brings up other discussions on alternatives.