|
Banner Text
Banner Slogan
 |
|
|
|
Back
It is difficult for
many students to master basic concepts in computer science and
programming. A large portion of the confusion can be blamed on the
complexity of the tools and materials that are traditionally used
to teach CS1 and CS2. This textbook was written with a single
overarching goal: to present the core concepts of computer science
as simply as possible without being simplistic.
Perhaps the greatest
source of complexity in introductory CS courses is the use of
traditional systems languages such as C++ and Java. These languages
evolved to solve problems that arise in large-scale programming
where the primary emphasis is on structure and discipline. They
were not designed to make writing small or medium-scale programs
easy. The recent rise in popularity (in industry, if not
necessarily in academia) of scripting languages, such Python,
suggests an alternative. Python is flexible and makes
experimentation easy. Solutions to simple problems are simply and
elegantly expressed. Python is a great laboratory for the neophyte
programmer.
Python is a natural
choice as a first programming language because its basic structures
are very clean and well-designed. The concepts carry over directly
to subsequent study of systems languages such as Java and C++.
Python is a real-world language that is feely available for
virtually every programming platform and comes standard with its
own easy-to-use integrated programming environment. Python allows
students to focus on the primary skills of algorithmic thinking and
program design without getting bogged down in arcane language
details.
|
Key
features of this book:
- Extensive
use of computer graphics. Students love working on programs that
include graphics. This book presents a simple-to-use graphics
package (provided as a Python module) that allows students to both
learn the principles of computer graphics and practice
object-oriented concepts without the complexity inherent in a
full-blown graphics library.
- Interesting examples. The book is packed with complete
programming examples to solve real
problems.
- Readable
prose. The narrative style of this book introduces key computer
science concepts in
a natural way as an outgrowth of a developing
discussion.
- Flexible
spiral coverage. Since the goal of the book is to present concepts
simply, each chapter
is organized such that students are introduced to new ideas in a
gradual way, giving them time
to assimilate an increasing level of detail as they
progress.
- Extensive
end-of-chapter problems. Exercises at the end of every chapter
provide ample opportunity
for students to both reinforce chapter material and practice new
programming skills.
Contents
Foreword, by Guido van Rossum
- Computers
and Programs
- Writing
Simple Programs
- Computing
with Numbers
- Computing
with Strings
- Objects
and Graphics
- Defining
Functions
- Decision
Structures
- Loop
Structures and Booleans
- Simulation and Design
- Defining
Classes
- Data
Collections
- Object-Oriented Design
- Algorithm
Design and Recursion
|
| Product Code |
Description |
Attributes |
Price | |
| John Zelle ISBN: 9781887902991 |
Paperback - 2003 |
|
£28.00
|
|
|
In categories:
|
Prices include:
0% VAT
|
|
|
|
|