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

by Allen Downey (Author)

4.7 584 ratings

Part of: Learning Python (7 books)

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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

About the Author

Allen Downey is a Professor of Computer Science at Olin College of Engineering. He has taught at Wellesley College, Colby College and U.C. Berkeley. He has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from U.C. Berkeley and Master's and Bachelor's degrees from MIT.

ISBN-10

1491939362
ISBN-13

978-1491939369
Edition

2nd
Publisher

O'Reilly Media
Publication date

January 26, 2016
Part of series

Learning Python
Language

English
Dimensions

7 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches
Print length

289 pages
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ O'Reilly Media; 2nd edition (January 26, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 289 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1491939362
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1491939369
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #61,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #25 in Object-Oriented Design
- #65 in Software Development (Books)
- #66 in Python Programming

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Allen Downey

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Allen Downey is a Professor of Computer Science at Olin College and author of books related to programming and data science, including Think Python, Think Stats, Think Bayes, Think Complexity, and several others. The idea behind these books is that if you know how to program, you can use that skill to learn other things.

Allen has a Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley and M.S. and B.S. degrees from MIT. He has taught at Colby College and Wellesley College.

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AG

Good value

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024

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I bought this book for one of my college courses. It's a really good book. It explains the coding well and uses good examples. Bought book new and received in great condition.

Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2023

Good read!

A Python Next Step or First Step

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2022

Verified Purchase

I liked that it seemed tailored to my needs where I'm at in my programming journey. I had previously read Python for Everybody and done most of the exercises there. The author of that book, Dr. Chuck, recommends this as a sequel to his book, for object-oriented practice, I believe, in the preface of P4E. Which is exactly what I'm getting out of it! What I noticed is that this book could be a good book for beginners, if you're not new to programming. There's nothing you cannot do. It's a dense dialectic, and seems like it was intended to be read, not skimmed. I haven't finished, so I don't know what a proper summary conclusion would be- as far as that didactic goes. Definitely has some insight, but I might have to study/take notes to remember.

4 people found this helpful

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J. Edgar Mihelic, MA, MA, MBA

Good Supplement

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023

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I used this book as a supplement to a class I was taking in Python. It was good as a supplement, but I do worry that it would not be sufficient for someone who was only using this book or someone who had not had a bit of a background in doing some programming stuff. The exercises are also made for someone who has a decent understanding of math and personally I stopped trying the exercises after the first few chapters because of that, as well as having other problems that had been assigned to me for the course I was taking.

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Wendell

I think, therefore I am

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

The change was subtle at first; flipping each page and reading each line, day after day. It was when I reached the 6th chapter that the evolution moved from metal to a physical realization. I prefer my sun drenched back porch to my cold office, my skin is segmented into hexagonal scales, and my wife loves the new fork in my tongue. Out of five dead mice, I give it a ten and that’s saying something because we are talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for at least a week.

7 people found this helpful

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Jesse Torres

It's five-stars as a Python primer

Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2021

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This is a fine book for someone who wants an introduction to Python programming. I think it is good for someone who is uncertain about what Python is all about. It will definitely give the reader an indication about the language and its structure.

If you are looking to learn Python in-depth, this is not the book for you. However, if you want a survey of Python - what it can do, how it works (generally) - this is a good book.

I like the easy-to-understand language used in this book. The author does not make any assumptions about prior programming knowledge.

The book just scratches the surface of Python. It runs though a large number of topics, touching each with just enough to give the reader an understanding of the bigger picture. However, it doesn't do a deep dive on any topic in particular.

Overall, as a primer it's a great book. But be prepared to go deeper with other resources if you want to become even a good novice Python programmer.

8 people found this helpful

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Paul Emmons

Is this all Python can do?

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

When this book arrived, I turned to the chapter entitled "Files" and saw that reading text files had already been introduced and this chapter would discuss writing text files and databases for the purpose of storing data created by a program so that it can pick up later where it left off.

This sounds like a sadly limited description of the capabilities of such a flexible and powerful language. Or does Python really live in its own little world?

I'm an old geezer in a hurry, looking for a computer language that will read existing binary files whose unicode names are provided from the Windows command line. It doesn't sound like much to ask, but every computer language I know has one or another problem doing it. Dare I hope that Python can be cajoled into meeting these simple requirements, and I can learn how by buying another book, or should I look for another language?

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

One of the best books I've read on programming so far. It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources available to you as well, which I found really useful.
The only caveat I would give is that this may not be the best choice for the math-averse, as many of the exercises involve dealing with math problems. I would not consider myself particularly mathematically inclined and can still get through them with some effort, and enjoy the challenge of learning something new and putting some long-unused brain cells to work, but it may be frustrating if you really hate math. There is always the option to skip exercises you don't like, of course.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in programming, or wanting to learn Python, beginners included. I had a little programming experience coming in, and breezed through the first few chapters, but the exercises quickly build in difficulty so even after a few chapters, I think all but quite experienced programmers will find some that are challenging and help you build proficiency in the language.

21 people found this helpful

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skylon

A tiny but powerful reference book.

Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2020

Verified Purchase

Liked the packaging and the shape of the product.
Though I had been working with Python for a while now, I wanted a book that explained what works and why, when it comes to Python;
When following any online tutorial or solutions online , most times I noticed that - essentially although their way of working the syntax worked but none seemed to know or explain why. So, to that end - this book does the job really well.

Howar Stugard

Good book

Reviewed in Italy on July 31, 2021

Verified Purchase

Item was as advertised.

apnkpp

A good book.

Reviewed in Mexico on November 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book cover all basics of the python programming language as it attempts to develop good programming practices and skills. It is a good book to be used as reference but if you have some experience with the language and want to take your skills to a different level then you need another book.

Joel Aumedes

Very good book to get started

Reviewed in Spain on November 7, 2019

Verified Purchase

Very well explained and organized

rachelbee14

The book you didn't think you needed

Reviewed in Germany on January 24, 2019

Verified Purchase

For anyone not coming from a programming background this book is a lifesaver. The author explains concepts clearly and it is truly a joy to read

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