A Functional Start to Computing with Python: 10 (Chapman & Hall/CRC Textbooks in Computing) - Softcover

Herman, Ted

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1466504552 ISBN 13: 9781466504554

Publisher: Routledge, 2013

Synopsis

A Functional Start to Computing with Python enables students to quickly learn computing without having to use loops, variables, and object abstractions at the start. Requiring no prior programming experience, the book draws on Python’s flexible data types and operations as well as its capacity for defining new functions. Along with the specifics of Python, the text covers important concepts of computing, including software engineering motivation, algorithms behind syntax rules, advanced functional programming ideas, and, briefly, finite state machines.

Taking a student-friendly, interactive approach to teach computing, the book addresses more difficult concepts and abstractions later in the text. The author presents ample explanations of data types, operators, and expressions. He also describes comprehensions―the powerful specifications of lists and dictionaries―before introducing loops and variables. This approach helps students better understand assignment syntax and iteration by giving them a mental model of sophisticated data first.

Web ResourceThe book’s supplementary website at http://functionalfirstpython.com/ provides many ancillaries, including:

• Interactive flashcards on Python language elements
• Links to extra support for each chapter
• Unit testing and programming exercises
• An interactive Python stepper tool
• Chapter-by-chapter points
• Material for lectures

About this title

About the Author

Ted Herman

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1466504552
• ISBN 13: 9781466504554
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 430