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Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science 2nd Edition
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Product Details
| Binding: | Paperback |
|---|---|
| EAN: | 9781590282410 |
| Label: | Franklin, Beedle & Associates Inc. |
| Feature: | |
| Publisher: | Franklin, Beedle & Associates Inc. |
| Studio: | Franklin, Beedle & Associates Inc. |
Editorial Reviews
This is the second edition of John Zelle's Python Programming, updated for Python 3. This book is designed to be used as the primary textbook in a college-level first course in computing. It takes a fairly traditional approach, emphasizing problem solving, design, and programming as the core skills of computer science. However, these ideas are illustrated using a non-traditional language, namely Python. Although Python is used as the language, teaching Python is not the main point of this book. Rather, Python is used to illustrate fundamental principles of design and programming that apply in any language or computing environment. In some places, I have purposely avoided certain Python features and idioms that are not generally found in other languages. There are already many good books about Python on the market; this book is intended as an introduction to computing. Features include the following: *Extensive use of computer graphics. *Interesting examples. *Readable prose. *Flexible spiral coverage. *Just-in-time object coverage. *Extensive end-of-chapter problems.
Customer Reviews
Daquan Wright @ 2011-08-19 Superb introduction to Computer Science
I'm rather new to CS, am a major in it as well. I dabble in various languages, which range from: Python to PHP to MooTools. This book teaches you theoretical computer science concepts as well as the art of programming via Python 3. It doesn't have a ton of pages and it executes its goal very well, which is to introduce students to the field of computer science and to focus on problem solving instead of complicated syntax and compiler issues. The programs are very mathematically based and it's a bit tedious (I find most technical subjects are), but the examples are fascinating if you love the idea of what can be computed. You'll broaden your mind and be ready to dive into actual programming after doing the exercises in this book.
The key point I want to drive home, is that this book is designed to teach the theory and concepts of Computer Science as it relates to programming and computing. It's not a book that teaches you Python step by step, but you'll certainly be capable of programming in Python after a thorough reading. You really need to sit down and read over the book a couple of times. I do this for my math texts as well, understanding and reasoning the material is fundamental to obtaining the knowledge in it.
Because it's teaching broad theory that applies to all modern programming languages, I find it rich but it takes far more time to understand than say just a tutorial on language. However, this book is what should be your foundation for when you eventually will begin embarking on various programming languages and development tools.
The key point I want to drive home, is that this book is designed to teach the theory and concepts of Computer Science as it relates to programming and computing. It's not a book that teaches you Python step by step, but you'll certainly be capable of programming in Python after a thorough reading. You really need to sit down and read over the book a couple of times. I do this for my math texts as well, understanding and reasoning the material is fundamental to obtaining the knowledge in it.
Because it's teaching broad theory that applies to all modern programming languages, I find it rich but it takes far more time to understand than say just a tutorial on language. However, this book is what should be your foundation for when you eventually will begin embarking on various programming languages and development tools.
Sasoun @ 2011-04-13 Intro to computer science with Python
This is very good book.My major is computer science and I started learning Python with this book.I would recommend this book to every one who wants to learn Python.This is an introduction book.
anishannayya @ 2011-10-13 GREAT! Beginner Textbook
This book was required for an Intro to Python class that I'm taking.
While I already know how to program in other languages, this book is very simple and succinct, and starts people off slow. Though this can be partially attributed to the simple and straightforward syntax used by Python, the book itself is wonderful.
This is a relief compared to other textbooks I have used that drop you into an overhead view that makes little to no sense to those who aren't already familiar with programming.
While the "IDLE" compiler used by this book is rather devoid of features, it is lightweight and easy to use, which is always a plus. Students will likely switch to a more feature-rich compiler as they progress with Python.
Finally, the book was cheap, which is always a plus for a college student.
While I already know how to program in other languages, this book is very simple and succinct, and starts people off slow. Though this can be partially attributed to the simple and straightforward syntax used by Python, the book itself is wonderful.
This is a relief compared to other textbooks I have used that drop you into an overhead view that makes little to no sense to those who aren't already familiar with programming.
While the "IDLE" compiler used by this book is rather devoid of features, it is lightweight and easy to use, which is always a plus. Students will likely switch to a more feature-rich compiler as they progress with Python.
Finally, the book was cheap, which is always a plus for a college student.
Patrick Donovan @ 2011-10-09 Excellent for beginners
I purchased this book a couple months ago and have been thoroughly impressed.
I have never learned a programming language before, but I am fairly knowledgeable about technology in general. I decided to take the plunge, and figured the best place to start would be learning the basics of computer science.
This book is fantastic for a number of reasons. The first reason is the choice of language. When I first developed an interest in programming, one of the things I struggled with was what language to learn. As someone who has a full time job and no easy access to developers, I wanted to make sure it was something that I could realistically learn on my own. Python is the perfect choice and I would recommend it to any beginner. The syntax is very simple, its high level and object oriented, and its very popular right now.
This book is also incredibly readable. Many other resources that I've looked at that are aimed at beginners overlook some basic concepts that need to be explained. The author's often have too much expertise, and something that seems obvious and self evident to them may not be as obvious to a complete beginner. This book doesn't make that mistake. Each concept is explained simply, but omitting no detail, and the syntax is explained thoroughly (which doesn't take much with Python).
After a few weeks of working with this book, I was writing simple programs to transform data arrays and produce CSV output files for my job. The fact that you can very quickly deploy what you've learned in a useful way really gets you excited and interested in learning more.
Anyone interested in learning Python, or programming in general, should start with this book. Its just excellent.
I have never learned a programming language before, but I am fairly knowledgeable about technology in general. I decided to take the plunge, and figured the best place to start would be learning the basics of computer science.
This book is fantastic for a number of reasons. The first reason is the choice of language. When I first developed an interest in programming, one of the things I struggled with was what language to learn. As someone who has a full time job and no easy access to developers, I wanted to make sure it was something that I could realistically learn on my own. Python is the perfect choice and I would recommend it to any beginner. The syntax is very simple, its high level and object oriented, and its very popular right now.
This book is also incredibly readable. Many other resources that I've looked at that are aimed at beginners overlook some basic concepts that need to be explained. The author's often have too much expertise, and something that seems obvious and self evident to them may not be as obvious to a complete beginner. This book doesn't make that mistake. Each concept is explained simply, but omitting no detail, and the syntax is explained thoroughly (which doesn't take much with Python).
After a few weeks of working with this book, I was writing simple programs to transform data arrays and produce CSV output files for my job. The fact that you can very quickly deploy what you've learned in a useful way really gets you excited and interested in learning more.
Anyone interested in learning Python, or programming in general, should start with this book. Its just excellent.
aspiring reader @ 2011-08-30 a nimcompoop can learn Python from book
I'm an economics major and have had no previous coding experience. I picked it up because I wanted to code for hobby. And many websites I consulted on programming recommended starting off with Python due to its simplicity and beauty.
This book is hands down one of the best books I've ever read. It is not only a great Python book, but a great computer science book as other people have said. And it's also a great book in general due to the author's clarity in explaining many important concepts central to Python and the Science of Computation.
Highly recommended. It hasn't turned me into a great programmer -- that's entirely up to how much time I devote to practicing. But it has engendered in me a love for programming and I wish I'd majored in Computer Science years ago when I was a freshman. Either way, the important thing to me is that I now have fun coding simple programs with Python, thanks to this book.
This book is hands down one of the best books I've ever read. It is not only a great Python book, but a great computer science book as other people have said. And it's also a great book in general due to the author's clarity in explaining many important concepts central to Python and the Science of Computation.
Highly recommended. It hasn't turned me into a great programmer -- that's entirely up to how much time I devote to practicing. But it has engendered in me a love for programming and I wish I'd majored in Computer Science years ago when I was a freshman. Either way, the important thing to me is that I now have fun coding simple programs with Python, thanks to this book.
allineedismUsic7 @ 2011-03-07 Did it's job
This book was required for my beginner's computer programming course. It got me through the course with its helpful examples and clear descriptions. Only con is that the company didn't give my professor a solutions manual, so the practice problems were essentially useless.
Kristin @ 2011-08-25 Perfect accompaniment for self-guided learning
With completeness and clarity, Zelle's Python Programming provides both self-guided and classroom-based newbies with a thorough, functional understanding of computer science. With each chapter written succinctly and building upon the prior, the reader progresses rapidly and logically through the material. Fully annotated exercises in each chapter allow the reader to program as (s)he reads.
Niki @ 2010-09-28 python programming
When I ordered the book I expected it to come a little worse then what was advertised because the price was so low. However, I was pleasantly suprized when I recieved the book and it was still in it's original srink-wrapped package.
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