The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming [Paperback]

Greg M. Perry (Author), Greg Perry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0672302691 | ISBN-13: 978-0672302695 | Publication Date: January 1993 | Edition: 1st

The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming is a great place to start learning about programming and building your confidence. This book is a training tool to help you develop proper programming skills, learn what programming is all about, and discover the differences between BASIC, C, and Pascal. Not only are you taught the proper programming principles, you also learn how to think through a programming task in logical, sequential steps-and find the hidden power of programming in the process. Plus, you learn about programming job opportunities and what to expect if you decide to further your programming skills and write programs for others. Discover the hidden secrets to programming success. Start with Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The material in Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming won't help you get a job, at least not directly. You see, this book emphasizes QBasic, which is a very elementary programming language designed to help programming novices learn about the fundamental concepts of writing computer programs. The idea is that novices will be able to take the programming knowledge they develop under QBasic and apply it to more powerful languages that are better suited to solving real business and technical problems. (Such languages include C, C++, COBOL, and Java.) That said, this book does a good job of teaching the essentials of programming in the QBasic environment. It helps regular people start to think like programmers.

Author Greg Perry put this book together in 1993, when Windows 3.x was still standard and the Internet had yet to reach the popular consciousness. More importantly, object-oriented programming languages weren't as big a deal then as they are today--a procedural language like QBasic has less relevance now. Still, Perry's coverage of basic calculations, variables, loops, data structures, searches, sorts, and other fundamental concepts remains relevant today. He also helps get new programmers into the commercial mindset by explaining the importance of clear documentation and advance design work. Your biggest challenge in following along with Perry may be getting a copy of QBasic, but don't worry--many sites make the language available for free download. --David Wall

Topics covered: What computers are; how computers use programs; what programmers do; how to plan and write a program; and how to use variables, operators, loops, arrays, files, graphics routines, and other essential elements of the QBasic language.

Review

Perfect for the person who wants to program but needs a good starting point! This book teaches readers the thought process and design behind programming as well as which languages fit their individual needs. "Provides an introductory discussion of using the QBasic language. Includes a complete guide to programming and programming languages. Covers programming concepts, languages, and products". Covers QBasic. -- SAMS Pub.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sams; 1st edition (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672302691
• ISBN-13: 978-0672302695
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,837,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars G R E A T B O O K ! ! !, February 12, 2000

By 

Patricia Mullin "Patty Mullin" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming (Paperback)

Well, I got this book when I was in about sixth grade when my friends seemed to be exploring BASIC, and I hadn't read it. I finally flipped through it in about 8th grade (last year) and it totally helped me! The person who said this was an insult to their intelligence obviously doesn't have much intelligence to spare. Don't listen to them! This book will teach you about basic programming. Then, if you decide to move on, all of the fundamentals are the same in BASIC as in most other computer languages! GREAT BOOK, MR. PERRY! I'm trying to get my hands on more of his books. This book, even if that one person says it's written at a sixth grade level, WHO CARES? Some people DON'T know about this stuff, and it was designed so that children who know about computers, and ARE the future programmers can understand it! I don't know how many times I'm going to say this, but GREAT BOOK!

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one great beginner's book. Perry is a great teacher., August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming (Paperback)

I've just finished chapter 8 of the book which teaches you the foundation of Qbasic and how to run your first program. Perry is a master teacher. Most people I've spoken to about programming languages seem more interested in confusing the hell out of me; I've never been this excited to learn something in a long time. Perry simplifies everything, making it accessable and easy to learn. I just can't say enough--if you didn't know whether you wanted to become a programmer or you wanted nothing to do with it from the beginning, just read this book and it will excite you to become one or help you understand why you don't want to be one. Great job, Perry!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Pleased, May 15, 2000

By 

Richard J Scolaro (Canton, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming (Paperback)

The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming is an excellent first book for beginning programmers. The explanations are clear and help to bring a sense of continuity to topics otherwise confusing to novice computer users. You don't have to be interested in programming to benefit from this book. I teach beginning computer applications, and I pride myself of being able to communicate to persons who don't believe themselves to be computer literate in the least, the fundamentals of computer operations. I have gained valuable information not only for my interest in computer programming, but for my classes as well. Thank you Mr. Perry. Your book has helped me immeasurably.