Computer programming is a skill that can bring great enjoyment from the creativity involved in designing and implementing a solution to a problem. This classroom-tested and easy-to-follow textbook teaches the reader how to program using Python, an accessible language which can be learned incrementally. Through an extensive use of examples and practical exercises, students will learn to recognize and apply abstract patterns in programming, as well as how to inspect the state of a program using a debugger tool. Features: contains numerous examples and solved practice exercises designed for an interactive classroom environment; highlights several patterns which commonly appear in programs, and presents exercises that reinforce recognition and application of these patterns; introduces the use of a debugger, and includes supporting material that reveals how programs work; presents the Tkinter framework for building graphical user interface applications and event-driven programs; provides helpful additional resources for instructors at the associated website: http://cs.luther.edu/~leekent/CS1. This hands-on textbook for active learning in the classroom will enable undergraduates in computer science to develop the necessary skills to begin developing their own programs. It employs Python as the introductory language due to the wealth of support available for programmers.
Reviews / Votes
From the reviews:
"Phython's recent gain in popularity, this new work is timely. Though intended primarily as a textbook for introductory programming classes, it will work well as a guide to self-teaching. . The writing is clear and succinct; the choice of topics is excellent; and the examples work well. By introducing the Tkinter graphical user interface kit, the book does much to help readers work with interesting programs without the need for another book. . Summing Up: Highly recommended. Students of all levels, professionals/practitioners, and general readers." (S. L. Tanimoto, Choice, Vol. 48 (9), May, 2011)
"This book follows a classical Kernighan-Ritchie-style approach . . Each chapter concludes with review questions, exercises, and solutions for practice problems--all making this book applicable for self-study. Overall, this is a fine book. . a well-written, well-structured, self-contained modern introduction to programming with an important platform-independent language." (Klaus Galensa, ACM Computing Reviews, December, 2011)
