Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python (Pragmatic Programmers) 1st Edition

by Jennifer Campbell (Author), Paul Gries (Author), Jason Montojo (Author),

25 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-1934356272

ISBN-10: 1934356271

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Welcome to computer science in the 21st century. Did you ever wonder how computers represent DNA? How they can download a web page containing population data and analyze it to spot trends? Or how they can change the colors in a color photograph? If so, this book is for you. By the time you're done, you'll know how to do all of that and a lot more. And Python makes it easy and fun.

Computers are used in every part of science from ecology to particle physics. This introduction to computer science continually reinforces those ties by using real-world science problems as examples. Anyone who has taken a high school science class will be able to follow along as the book introduces the basics of programming, then goes on to show readers how to work with databases, download data from the web automatically, build graphical interfaces, and most importantly, how to think like a professional programmer.

Topics covered include:

Basic elements of programming from arithmetic to loops and if statements.

Using functions and modules to organize programs.

Using lists, sets, and dictionaries to organize data.

Designing algorithms systematically.

Debugging things when they go wrong.

Creating and querying databases.

Building graphical interfaces to make programs easier to use.

Object-oriented programming and programming patterns.

Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python (Pragmatic Programmers)

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Product Details

Series: Pragmatic Programmers
Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf; 1 edition (June 7, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934356271
ISBN-13: 978-1934356272
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #801,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #343 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > C#
- #606 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > Python
- #1021 in Books > Textbooks > Computer Science > Software Design & Engineering

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Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

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Top Customer Reviews

Great Book for My Return to Programming

ByEWon December 15, 2009

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I had not programmed for 30 years and wanted to do a bit for a small project. After trying several Python books I found this one. I suspect that no one programming book will appeal to all, but this one was a great book to get me started again. Well-written. Good examples. Clear explanations.

0Comment 30 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

This book is the perfect foundation on which to build your Python programming skills

BySaraon February 8, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I entered a graduate program in computational linguistics with a linguistics background with no computer science or programming experience. All of my specialization courses use Python and, unfortunately, my university doesn't offer Python courses. Discovering that I wasn't all that wonderful at self-teaching myself to program, I resolved to take an introductory Java programming course offered by my university's computer science department. The course served as an excellent foundation and made this text, which I think is already very clear and accessible, that much easier to follow. My opinion is that this book would make an excellent text for an introductory course in Python programming or a wonderful resource to someone who knows a bit about programming but would like to understand Python. I had tried other Python books in the past, but found myself either lost or bored. The authors of this book know how to hold their audience's attention.

33 comments 29 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Could be better!!

ByJ. E. Palmeron April 22, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I'm technical by nature and have programmed many years ago and wanted to get back into it. I got Learn to Program by Chris Pine which uses Ruby and this Practical Programming book which uses Python. I'm half way through both books. In comparison the Ruby book was smooth, easy to follow and few to none errors. I found the structure of the Ruby book excellent as each chapter built on the next. This book in contrast I'm finding much more of a chore. It does serve the purpose and will be a good intro to Python, BUT .... There a lot of errors in this book, small typos and such. Some exercises at the end of the chapter use methods from chapters that are further out and haven't been covered yet. Plenty of inaccurate page number references. Only the answers for the even exercises are found on the web, while the Ruby book gives all the answers. The Python book just doesn't seem as clear and easy to follow as the Ruby book. If you are just looking for a book to get into programming and not sure or care about language; I highly recommend the Ruby book over this one. If you need a Python intro I would say this book is okay, but leaves something to be desired and I feel the way the material is presented creates a slight unnecessary struggle. I haven't tried any other Python books to compare. And I will be continuing on and finishing this book even though I'm not raving about it. I'd say the python book reminds me of a mediocre college textbook with errors and a lack of clarity that might require an instructor to decipher. The Ruby book is smooth and easy to follow at home. Note this review is for the first edition, Publication Date: June 4, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1934356271 | ISBN-13: 978-1934356272 | Edition: 1 .. the same one selling here on Amazon.

55 comments 11 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A Superior Introduction to Computer Science & Data Structures Using Python

ByIra LaefskyVINE VOICEon May 14, 2009

Format: Paperback

As a result of superior pedagogy and a language that includes built in features like lists and dictionaries, and a standard library that comes with everything; this instructional book provides an introduction to Computer Science and Data Structures which excels using the modern programming language Python. This text is much more than a learn to program in "XXX" book, it gives a firm foundation for all subsequent courses in Computer Science and practical examples of how Data Structures are employed in real world problems involving graphics and databases. It also gives the necessary demonstrations of algorithms for Searching and Sorting, and a modern introduction to Object-Oriented programming.

In short, this volume provides an excellent foundation text in Computer Science, while incorporating instruction in the Python Language and giving practical examples of how to employ the Algorithms and Data Structures in real-world situations. It will give the student a strong basis for all further study in Computer Science and Programming.

44 comments 38 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Broad, yet effective

ByMarcello Siason January 10, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

While taking an online course (MIT OCW) that uses Python and had no book, I picked up this book as a reference for python specific syntax issues. It is a really great book (I got through the whole thing rather quickly), and I am sure it will stay near my workstation. The authors cover a broad range of topics in a rather short book. There are a ton of free ebooks on programming and Python, however, if you prefer to read a physical book: this is a great choice.

11 comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Solid computer science fundamentals, but sloppy editing

ByMax Silbigeron July 30, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is an excellent introduction to Python. It covers plenty of the more general computer science concepts (that is, not Python-specific) missing from oft-recommended online "workbooks" like Codecademy and Learn Python the Hard Way, so it's proven very useful to me in my attempt to move from imitation to independence.

That said, the editing isn't quite up to par. An uncomfortable number of the raw code examples look like this (p19):

def <code:bold>function_name</code:bold>(<code:bold>parameters</code:bold>):
<code:bold>block</code:bold>

The parts in <tags> are not something you'd type into Python, but just leftover markup code from the manuscript. It should read much more simply:

def function_name(parameters):
block

There's something like that every twenty pages or so. I can easily see a beginner trying to type it all in and being bombarded with errors.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Don't order this book! New edition being released!

ByBob Pattersonon August 21, 2013

Format: Paperback

2nd Edition of this great beginner's book, covering Python 3, is in beta. Here's the URL for the 2nd Edition from the publisher's Web page:

[...]

Blurb says the projected release date of the 2nd Edition is 19 Sept. 2013.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

User Noobie Friendly

ByMelanieon July 9, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Very user/noobie friendly!

I'm really new to the programming world, I get easily confused but this book has been such a big help! It is basically a Python for dummies book.
I enjoy the fact that it breaks explanations all down and uses illustrations -- So easy to read and understand!

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most Recent Customer Reviews

Three Stars

its for a class i had... it helped me a lot in college.

Published 6 months ago by Amazon Customer

best book I have read on learning Python

Extraordinary. Best book I have read on learning Python.

Published 1 year ago by Amazon Customer

Learning Python: Clear, Simple and Systematic

Great companion to the Coursera University course designed by the authors.
Basic clear language. Not sure why I did not pick Python earlier!

Published 1 year ago by E. Ottieno

Easy to read and wealth of knowledge to gain

It is one thing to understand a particular language, even if it is Python, yet it is another to understand the underlying concepts of these languages and how to program against...Read more

Published 1 year ago by Rob Simpson

Great short text

It is hard to find a"perfect" software book, any choice is subjective. What matters time in this kind of reading is practical value - can take some advice directly to your work,...Read more

Published 1 year ago by Evgeniy Pogrebnyak

Three Stars

Just what I needed for my class. Thank you :)

Published 1 year ago by Melanie

Five Stars

I am pleased with my purchase.

Published on October 13, 2014 by Thomas I.

Five Stars

nice

Published on September 29, 2014 by PEILU OUYANG

Highly recommended.

The single-best Python introductory text available today. Straightforward and accessible even for someone with ZERO programming experience. Highly recommended.

Published on September 10, 2014 by Amazon Customer

Never Used It

Bought this test for a class. Never really opened it except to see what was in it. Honestly most information on programming is available on message boards on the internet.Read more

Published on January 30, 2014 by Kurt

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