Learn to Code by Solving Problems: A Python Programming Primer

by Daniel Zingaro

Learn to Code by Solving Problems is a practical introduction to programming using Python. It uses coding-competition challenges to teach you the mechanics of coding and how to think like a savvy programmer.Computers are capable of solving almost any problem when given the right instructions. That’s where programming comes in. This beginner’s book will have you writing Python programs right away. You’ll solve interesting problems drawn from real coding competitions and build your programming skills as you go. Every chapter presents problems from coding challenge websites, where online judges test your solutions and provide targeted feedback. As you practice using core Python features, functions, and techniques, you’ll develop a clear understanding of data structures, algorithms, and other programming basics. Bonus exercises invite you to explore new concepts on your own, and multiple-choice questions encourage you to think about how each piece of code works. You’ll learn how Python code, work with strings, and use variablesWrite programs that make decisionsMake code more efficient with while and for loopsUse Python sets, lists, and dictionaries to organize, sort, and search dataDesign programs using functions and top-down designCreate complete-search algorithms and use Big O notation to design more efficient code By the end of the book, you’ll not only be proficient in Python, but you’ll also understand how to think through problems and tackle them with code. Programming languages come and go, but this book gives you the lasting foundation you need to start thinking like a programmer. 

Genres: Programming, Computer Science, Coding, Nonfiction, Technology

335 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2021

Reviews

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel Zingaro wrote Learn to Code By Solving Problems. The book utilizes the Python Programming Language to solve snippets of problems from coding competitions. The book is great for the beginner. It describes the logic Zingaro uses to solve the problem and covers the tool he will use during that chapter.

Along the way, Zingaro introduces lists, dictionaries, loops using for, loops using while, and more. Zingaro covers algorithmic efficiency in the final chapters of the book. The problems listed have time limits for how long they run, so you could use one method to solve it, but it would exceed the requisite time.

I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.

[Svend Christian Svendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recently asked to review this book by the author. This book teaches you the basics of Python programming. However, it does not use the typical approach of first showing a programming concept and then applying it. Instead, each chapter introduces a problem and then demonstrates a concept that can be used to solve the problem. I found this way of teaching programming quite nice and gives the reader a good understanding of why various concepts are useful.

Programming problems can often be difficult to understand. However, I found that the book presented each problem in a way that is easy to comprehend. The solutions are described step-by-step and are easy to understand.

I found this way of teaching very nice since it also demonstrates the problem-solving skills used when programming. Additionally, it provides some nice concrete problems to solve. The chapters also list extra problems for the user to solve on their own. Overall, it is a really enjoyable book that provides a nice introduction to the basics of programming and problem-solving.

[Thk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very impressed by NoStarch Books, in how the materials are always presented well and with pedagogy and learning in mind. Also learn a new thing in the judges thing.

The author does not just teach syntax but also algorithmic thinking and planning (liked the Big O concept at the end). The check-in questions can be tricky but they really seek to teach. This book is suitable for beginners to intermediates.

[Luke Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a non programmer this book unlocked the true logic for me, and I’m sure its principles will pay dividends when dabbling with learning other languages. Although I did not take time to do the practice questions, I studied the word problems included fastidiously and gained immense value from it. I can know truly read Python from a top down persepectivd and understand its logic. The author made it fun and easy to follow along, and its step by step nature was critical for a new learner. Looking forward to the next No Starch book.

[Yixuan Huang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is too easy for a real learner to devote into using computers to solve problems or a real algorithm competitor. Although the writing of this book is very orderly and clear, it is too easy for me, as an ACM-ICPC algorithm competitor, so the score is not very high. But it can be a good introduction about solving problems by using coding.