Dr. Daniel Zingaro is an award-winning Associate Professor of Computer Science in the teaching stream at University of Toronto Mississauga, and is internationally recognized for his expertise in Active Learning. He is also the author of
Algorithmic Thinking (No Starch Press, 2021).
Learn to Code by Solving Problems is a practical introduction to programming using Python. It uses coding-competition challenges to teach you the mechanics of coding and how to think like a savvy programmer.Computers are capable of solving almost any problem when given the right instructions. That’s where programming comes in. This beginner’s book will have you writing Python programs right away. You’ll solve interesting problems drawn from real coding competitions and build your programming skills as you go.
Every chapter presents problems from coding challenge websites, where online judges test your solutions and provide targeted feedback. As you practice using core Python features, functions, and techniques, you’ll develop a clear understanding of data structures, algorithms, and other programming basics. Bonus exercises invite you to explore new concepts on your own, and multiple-choice questions encourage you to think about how each piece of code works.
You’ll learn how to:
Run Python code, work with strings, and use variablesWrite programs that make decisionsMake code more efficient with while and for loopsUse Python sets, lists, and dictionaries to organize, sort, and search dataDesign programs using functions and top-down designCreate complete-search algorithms and use Big O notation to design more efficient code By the end of the book, you’ll not only be proficient in Python, but you’ll also understand how to think through problems and tackle them with code. Programming languages come and go, but this book gives you the lasting foundation you need to start thinking like a programmer.
Acknowledgements
IntroductionChapter 1: Getting Started
Chapter 2: Making Decisions
Chapter 3: Repeating Code: Definite Loops
Chapter 4: Repeating Code: Indefinite Loops
Chapter 5: Organizing Values Using Lists
Chapter 6: Designing Programs with Functions
Chapter 7: Reading and Writing Files
Chapter 8: Organizing Values Using Sets and Dictionaries
Chapter 9: Designing Algorithms with Complete Search
Chapter 10: Big O and Program Efficiency
Afterword
"The book is an exceptionally well-written technical Python book for beginners that uses active learning techniques. If you’re a beginner to intermediate-level coder, this book will significantly improve your Python skills. It’s easy to read, and solving the problems is fun and satisfying."
—Christian Mayer, Finxter
"Best resource I’ve encountered for learning to code . . . If you are serious about learning Python, there is absolutely no better resource to get started. One chapter, one practice problem at a time, you will be amazed with the progress you make if you stick with it."
—Jun Tsuru, Amazon Reviewer
Learn to Code by Solving Problems is a practical introduction to programming using Python. It uses coding-competition challenges to teach you the mechanics of coding and how to think like a savvy programmer.Computers are capable of solving almost any problem when given the right instructions. That s where programming comes in. This beginner s book will have you writing Python programs right away. You ll solve interesting problems drawn from real coding competitions and build your programming skills as you go.
Every chapter presents problems from coding challenge websites, where online judges test your solutions and provide targeted feedback. As you practice using core Python features, functions, and techniques, you ll develop a clear understanding of data structures, algorithms, and other programming basics. Bonus exercises invite you to explore new concepts on your own, and multiple-choice questions encourage you to think about how each piece of code works.
You ll learn how to:
Run Python code, work with strings, and use variablesWrite programs that make decisionsMake code more efficient with while and for loopsUse Python sets, lists, and dictionaries to organize, sort, and search dataDesign programs using functions and top-down designCreate complete-search algorithms and use Big O notation to design more efficient code By the end of the book, you ll not only be proficient in Python, but you ll also understand how to think through problems and tackle them with code. Programming languages come and go, but this book gives you the lasting foundation you need to start thinking like a programmer.
"The book is an exceptionally well-written technical Python book for beginners that uses active learning techniques. If you re a beginner to intermediate-level coder, this book will significantly improve your Python skills. It s easy to read, and solving the problems is fun and satisfying."
Christian Mayer, Finxter
"Best resource I ve encountered for learning to code . . . If you are serious about learning Python, there is absolutely no better resource to get started. One chapter, one practice problem at a time, you will be amazed with the progress you make if you stick with it."
Jun Tsuru, Amazon Reviewer
Über den Autor
Daniel Zingaro
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Chapter 2: Making Decisions
Chapter 3: Repeating Code: Definite Loops
Chapter 4: Repeating Code: Indefinite Loops
Chapter 5: Organizing Values Using Lists
Chapter 6: Designing Programs with Functions
Chapter 7: Reading and Writing Files
Chapter 8: Organizing Values Using Sets and Dictionaries
Chapter 9: Designing Algorithms with Complete Search
Chapter 10: Big O and Program Efficiency
Afterword
Klappentext
Learn to Program by Solving Problems is a practical introduction to programming using Python, one of the world's most popular programming languages. The book emphasizes problem-solving strategies that teach readers not only the mechanics of coding, but how to think like savvy programmers.
• Teaches readers how to use Python to solve short, situational problems (for example, how to predict when a gambler will run out of money while playing slot machines; how to create a program to track cell phone data usage; how to set up a system of identifying the popularity of berths in a parking lot)
• Each chapter requires the reader to learn a new feature or function of Python in order to solve a problem
• Emphasizes basic programming concepts, problem-solving strategies, and critical thinking skills that lay the groundwork for readers to think like good programmers
