Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist, 2nd Edition

If you want to learn how to program, working with Python is an excellent way to start. This hands-on guide takes you through the language a step at a time, beginning with basic programming concepts before moving on to functions, recursion, data structures, and object-oriented design. This second edition and its supporting code have been updated for Python 3.

Through exercises in each chapter, you’ll try out programming concepts as you learn them. Think Python is ideal for students at the high school or college level, as well as self-learners, home-schooled students, and professionals who need to learn programming basics. Beginners just getting their feet wet will learn how to start with Python in a browser.

• Start with the basics, including language syntax and semantics
• Get a clear definition of each programming concept
• Learn about values, variables, statements, functions, and data structures in a logical progression
• Discover how to work with files and databases
• Understand objects, methods, and object-oriented programming
• Use debugging techniques to fix syntax, runtime, and semantic errors
• Explore interface design, data structures, and GUI-based programs through case studies

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Way of the Program
Chapter 2. Variables, Expressions and Statements
Chapter 3. Functions
Chapter 4. Case Study: Interface Design
Chapter 5. Conditionals and Recursion
Chapter 6. Fruitful Functions
Chapter 7. Iteration
Chapter 8. Strings
Chapter 9. Case Study: Word Play
Chapter 10. Lists
Chapter 11. Dictionaries
Chapter 12. Tuples
Chapter 13. Case Study: Data Structure Selection
Chapter 14. Files
Chapter 15. Classes and Objects
Chapter 16. Classes and Functions
Chapter 17. Classes and Methods
Chapter 18. Inheritance
Chapter 19. The Goodies
Chapter 20. Debugging
Chapter 21. Analysis of Algorithms