This is a wonderfully written introduction to programming. Using fun examples it brings computing concepts to life - concepts like memory, loops, decisions, input and output, data, and graphics. It's written in a language a kid can follow, but anyone who wants to program a computer can use this book, including adults. Hello World! Uses Python, the programming language also chosen for the One Laptop Per Child project. Readers with no previous knowledge of computing will be programming in no time at all. About The Author: Warren Sande is an Electronic Systems Engineer who uses Python and other computer languages in his daily work. His son, Carter Sande, is an elementary school student who loves computers, playing the piano, jumping on the trampoline, bike riding, and his little sister. His nickname at school is "Tech Support". Table Of Contents: Chapter 1: Getting Started Chapter 2: Remember This - Memory and Variables Chapter 3: Basic Math Chapter 4: Types of Data Chapter 5: Input Chapter 6: GUI - Graphical User Interface Chapter 7: Decisions, Decisions Chapter 8: Loop the Loop Chapter 9: Just for You Chapter 10: Game Time Chapter 11: Nested and Variable Loops Chapter 12: Collecting Things Together - Lists Chapter 13: Functions Chapter 14: Objects Chapter 15: Modules Chapter 16: Graphics Chapter 17: Sprites and Collision Detection Chapter 18: A New Kind of Input Chapter 19: Sound Chapter 20: More GUIs Chapter 21: Print Formatting and Strings Chapter 22: File Input and Output Chapter 23: Take a Chance - Randomness Chapter 24: Computer Simulations Chapter 25: What's Next
This is my first book into the Python world, which I think is the best introduction book to programming. Faced with kids, it forces anyone to use plain language to explain things very well.
This book is a very useful guide to Python, and to programming techniques and methods. It also came with an electronic version, which I found very useful to use as it meant I could zoom in on code listings and not worry about keeping a book open to the right page. It does cover Python 2x versions, but mentions changes to come in Python 3x as well.
If you want to learn programming, this is the place to start. At least, that’s how I remember it. It teaches you not only language syntax as well as deeper reasoning about why stuff works. It teaches you debugging skills. Buyer beware, “Python programming for the absolute beginner” is trash compared to this book.
Hello World! is an excellent place to start for complete programming beginners of any age. Many intro books assume a basic level of technical knowledge in the way they present material. This books assumes nothing which makes it a good starting point especially for anyone who has ever been frustrated by other beginner tutorials or books.
Additionally as a more experienced programmer, I still learned a lot about Python, a language I have never worked with before. Since everything is explained so clearly, it was easy to get enough knowledge about Python to feel like I could move on to working on my own Python projects.
Finally, I found that it was very easy to download the required supporting materials and get started. Plus the opportunity to actually write code starts almost immediately and occurs quite often as you work through the book.
I selected this book as the textbook to introduce my daughter to programming in an "Intro To Programming" class I am teaching her for home schooling. It's perfect for teaching the basics and assumes absolutely no previous understanding or knowledge of programming. Getting the tools installed on her Mac was a breeze and she really seems to be absorbing the material. It's still early in the semester, so I will come back to update this review, once we are through the semester. Not sure if we will make it through the entire book, but I've read the entire book and think it would be great for anyone learning the basics of programming.