Learning Processing: A Beginner's Guide to Programming Images, Animation, and Interaction

by Daniel Shiffman

The free, open-source Processing programming language environment was created at MIT for people who want to develop images, animation, and sound. Based on the ubiquitous Java, it provides an alternative to daunting languages and expensive proprietary software.

This book gives graphic designers, artists and illustrators of all stripes a jump start to working with processing by providing detailed information on the basic principles of programming with the language, followed by careful, step-by-step explanations of select advanced techniques.

The author teaches computer graphics at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and his book has been developed with a supportive learning experience at its core. From algorithms and data mining to rendering and debugging, it teaches object-oriented programming from the ground up within the fascinating context of interactive visual media.

Previously announced as "Pixels, Patterns, and Processing"

*A guided journey from the very basics of computer programming through to creating custom interactive 3D graphics
*Step-by-step examples, approachable language, exercises, and LOTS of sample code support the reader's learning curve
*Includes lessons on how to program live video, animated images and interactive sound

Genres: Programming, Computer Science, Coding, Reference, Design, Software, Education

450 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2008

Reviews

[Jessica]

A nice intro to Processing, though a bit cheesy. It's like learning Processing from your dad. You might roll your eyes sometimes, but it's still a good time.

[Jeffery]

Super easy reading. I've got a good understanding of how Processing works.

[Clay Heaton]

Easily the best computer programming book for beginners that I ever have read.

[Harshini Nawarathna]

Complete guide for the beginners

[Manuel Menezes de Sequeira]

Nice introduction to programming

This is a nice introduction to programming. Slow paced, step by step, introducing more complex programming constructs only when the need for them is already clear, when the pain of programming without them is evident. Explanations are always made as simple as possible, though sometimes verging on the simplistic. As to Processing, one is left wondering whether one should not be using p5 instead, given Processing's limitations for the web.

[Trenton]

This book made it easy to lean this fairly easy language. I wrote my first application quickly while only part way through the book.

[Maggie]

DNF at Chapter 18

[Patrick]

An excellent and highly readable introduction to Processing (and programming in general). Shiffman does an excellent job of introducing concepts in an intelligent order and incrementally building on them and moving on to more interesting and complicated matter. After completing the book I can confidently say I have a solid base of understand of not only the core of processing but how, where, and when I should look for the information, techniques, and additional libraries and topics to continue developing projects beyond the scope of this introductory text. This is more of a project based, practical application, learn by doing textbook than the (also excellent) Reas/Fry text which I would suggest as a follow up as it seems to dive a little deeper into certain programming subjects and artistic theories, but without the project based (and classroom tested) approach that shiffman takes.

Now on to read The Nature of Code!

[Owen]

"A variable is like a bucket..." A wonderful introduction to programming, chock full of metaphors that help associate new terms with old ones. With its emphasis on graphics and concrete examples it quickly acquaints you with the Processing language and programming in general, moving swiftly through the easy stuff to more advanced concepts like OOP and recursion. My main critique is the repetition of the Zoog creature—I believe students appreciate being able to exercise a little creative freedom in their demos, or at least seeing new examples so we're not groaning every time we see that same silly drawing again :-)

[Isabel]

As a beginner, I had a very difficult time understanding my first Processing-based course and struggled to complete assignments. However, this time, despite forgetting almost everything I learned in the previous class, I managed to easily learn and understand everything I needed to know with the help of this book. The writing style makes learning Processing almost relaxing and I felt inspired to create new projects as I progressed through the chapters. For the most part, the chapters are laid out in a logical order to teach the basics before expanding into broader topics later in the book.

[Asfarian]

Buku yang menjelaskan penggunaan bahasa pemrograman Processing dalam komputer grafis. Setiap penjelasan selalu disertakan dengan algoritma dasar, kemudian diberikan source code implementasi algoritma tersebut dalam bahasa Processing.

Metode pembelajaran dilakukan secara incremental, artinya, hasil dari bab sebelumnya akan digunakan di bab berikutnya. Buku yang direkomendasikan bagi pembaca yang berminat di komputer grafik.

[Erik Nauman]

Excellent book, and finally I've learned what object oriented programming is. My only problem, aside from numerous typos (though a 2nd edition coming in spring '13 should fix that), is the Zoog. It's just a silly idea and not engaging enough to keep students interested. So I will have to think of something else to carry many of the early concepts forward.

[Melissa]

I haven't read this book but from the reviews I think that I may just check this book out. I'm a fairly novice coder for most languages (except HTML), so I need all the help that I can get and all the books that I can get my hands on.

[Ann Marie]

Very helpful with assignments. Thought not read every single work I found it very useful.

[Regina]

Love that it's written with such humor. Too bad that I suck at programming haha

[Carly]

Super helpful! I appreciated the lively tone, also. It could have been a bore, but it explains Processing in simple and relatable terms.

[Hiatt]

A great book for learning Processing. Although there were some typos, I hope the author fixed them in the second edition.