A Concise Introduction to Programming in Python

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Series: Chapman & Hall/CRC Textbooks in Computing.

Suitable for newcomers to computer science, A Concise Introduction to Programming in Python provides a succinct, yet complete, first course in computer science using the Python programming language.

The book features:

  • Short, modular chapters with brief and precise explanations, intended for one class period
  • Early introduction of basic procedural constructs such as functions, selection, and repetition, allowing them to be used throughout the course
  • Objects are introduced in the middle of the course, and class design comes toward the end
  • Examples, exercises, and projects from a wide range of application domains, including biology, physics, images, sound, mathematics, games, and textual analysis
  • No external libraries are required, simplifying the book’s use in common lab spaces

Each chapter introduces a main idea through a concrete example and a series of exercises. Designed to teach programming in a concise, yet comprehensive way, this book provides a timely introduction for students and anyone interested in learning Python.

Table of Contents

Foundations

Computer Systems and Software

Python Program Components

Functions

Repetition: For Loops

Computer Memory: Integers

Selection: If Statements

Algorithm Design and Debugging

Repetition: While Loops

Project: Newton’s Method

Computer Memory: Floats

Simulation

Project: Visualization

Collections and Files

Strings

Building Strings

Project: ISBN Check Digits

Computer Memory: Text

Lists

Project: Program Performance

Project: Heat Diffusion

Files

String Methods

Project: File Compression

Mutable and Immutable Objects

Project: Hangman

Dictionaries

Project: ELIZA

Project: Shannon Entropy

Project: Reading DNA Frames

Selected Topics

Sound Manipulation

Sound Synthesis

Image Manipulation

Project: Image Filters

Image Synthesis

Writing Classes

Cooperating Classes

Case Study: PPM Image Class

Related Classes

Functional Programming

Parallel Programming

Graphical User Interfaces

Bibliography

Index

Author/Editor Biography

Mark J. Johnson is professor of computer science and mathematics at Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he holds the Ruth and Marvin Denekas Endowed Chair in Science and Humanities. Mark is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Ph.D., mathematics) and St. Olaf College.

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