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 I use Python 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:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Best Intro to Computer Science:
I've procrastinated learning computer science for a long time, as I never thought I could self teach. I've bought many books so called "Beginner Books" only to never be able to get past chapter 1. After receiving the advice of learning Python as my first language, I stumbled upon this book and ordered it due to the number of high reviews. I have entered a whole new world. Zelle's book is so wonderfully written and aimed for the complete novice. Everything is explained in such easy and direct ways to... more info
Excellent introductory book, but not advanced:
I am about 200 pages into this book. I have some scripting experience (Javascript), but not an awful lot. I have no real OOP experience as Javascript is more object-based than OO. I like Zelle's approach. He takes it simply and relatively slowly. The chapter exercises and discussion questions are what impress me the most. One of my major beefs with programming books is the lack of exercises. This book does not fail here. The exercises are thoughtful and build on themselves (i.e. there are various... more info
Oustanding Python and CS Intro:
I'm a computer science PhD student and computational biologist who is looking to convert from Perl to Python in order to create more readable and maintainable code. Python is a beautiful language and this is a beautiful book. Python was based on the ABC programming language which was intended for teaching or prototyping. Python kept the the ease of use of ABC but allowed one to create "real world" applications. Zelle nails that Python concept by teaching CS and programming concepts by creating... more info
excellent instructor resource:
I use this as a supplementary text for a computational chemistry class. It's simply excellent and student-friendly. You can't go wrong with this one.
