Get Programming: Learn to code with Python

by Ana Bell

Get Learn to code with Python teaches you the basics of computer programming using the Python language. In this exercise-driven book, you'll be doing something on nearly every page as you work through 38 compact lessons and 7 engaging capstone projects. By exploring the crystal-clear illustrations, exercises that check your understanding as you go, and tips for what to try next, you'll start thinking like a programmer in no time. This book works perfectly alongside our video course Get Programming with Python in Motion, available exclusively at www.manning.com/livevideo/get-program... Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. What's Inside Programming skills you can use in any language Learn to code—no experience required Learn Python, the language for beginners Dozens of exercises and examples help you learn by doing About the Reader No prior programming experience needed. Table of Contents LEARNING HOW TO PROGRAM Lesson 1 - Why should you learn how to program? Lesson 2 - Basic principles of learning a programming language UNIT 1 - VARIABLES, TYPES, EXPRESSIONS, AND STATEMENTS Lesson 3 - Introducing a programming language Lesson 4 - Variables and giving names and values to things Lesson 5 - Object types and statements of code 46 Lesson 6 - Capstone your first Python program-convert hours to minutes UNIT 2 - STRINGS, TUPLES, AND INTERACTING WITH THE USER Lesson 7 - Introducing string sequences of characters Lesson 8 - Advanced string operations Lesson 9 - Simple error messages Lesson 10 - Tuple sequences of any kind of object Lesson 11 - Interacting with the user Lesson 12 - Capstone name mashup UNIT 3 - MAKING DECISIONS IN YOUR PROGRAMS Lesson 13 - Introducing decisions in programs Lesson 14 - Making more-complicated decisions Lesson 15 - Capstone choose your own adventure UNIT 4 - REPEATING TASKS Lesson 16 - Repeating tasks with loops Lesson 17 - Customizing loops Lesson 18 - Repeating tasks while conditions hold Lesson 19 - Capstone Scrabble, Art Edition UNIT 5 - ORGANIZING YOUR CODE INTO REUSABLE BLOCKS Lesson 20 - Building programs to last Lesson 21 - Achieving modularity and abstraction with functions Lesson 22 - Advanced operations with functions Lesson 23 - Capstone analyze your friends UNIT 6 - WORKING WITH MUTABLE DATA TYPES Lesson 24 - Mutable and immutable objects Lesson 25 - Working with lists Lesson 26 - Advanced operations with lists Lesson 27 - Dictionaries as maps between objects Lesson 28 - Aliasing and copying lists and dictionaries Lesson 29 - Capstone document similarity UNIT 7 - MAKING YOUR OWN OBJECT TYPES BY USING OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING Lesson 30 - Making your own object types Lesson 31 - Creating a class for an object type Lesson 32 - Working with your own object types Lesson 33 - Customizing classes Lesson 34 - Capstone card game UNIT 8 - USING LIBRARIES TO ENHANCE YOUR PROGRAMS Lesson 35 - Useful li

Genres: Technology, Computers

743 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2018

Reviews

[Daniel van Dorp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to manage expectations first in my reviews, so let's start with what this book is definitely not: it is called "Get Programming: Learn to code with Python" for a reason, and this is not to make you the most advanced or knowledgeable Python developer of all times after reading this book.
In that sense, it is a bit different than "Get Programming with Go" from the same publisher (Manning) which cover has similar looks. However, after reading the description about the author it becomes very clear why this is so; the author wanted to write this book to fill a need for a book that truly taught programming from scratch, and that presented programming as an activity that can help you with daily tasks. And I have to admit here, that the author definitely succeeded in both in this book! (Also, to be fair, the book literally says "learn to code" in the title, so that was expected)

The author was rather experienced in this, and that is very clear from the understandable and concise writing style and language in the book.
Ana Bell teaches an introductory Python computer science course for undergraduates, and fills the gap present in most (online) learning resources regarding programming; they all expect prior knowledge of programming before teaching you a language (Python in this case). That is exactly why this book is literally focused on being a gentle, approachable introduction to Python programming for (pretty much) everybody.

The book is intended for anyone who is curious about programming but doesn't necessarily want to pursue a career in it.
The book is organized in two different ways: units and lessons. Units are a collection of several lessons, and are focused on a specific concept.
A typical Unit contains ~5 Lessons and ends with a capstone project. Lessons (chapters) usually start with a gentle introduction to a subject, and then dive deeper by presenting the more advanced possibilities of the subject. The capstone projects then test your Unit knowledge in practice.

As said before, the book is very accessible and well-written, and I have yet to find any other book with the same goal that was executed so well.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear explanations and logical progression. Example programs are good but not exactly inspiring. Read only about half because I never figured out what I would use the programming for.

[Lime Street Labrador · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fine only if you were a baby or an idiot.

[Jorge DeFlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buen libro,
Buena tipografía,
Buen diseño,
Buena organización,
Buen contenido a nivel muy básico.


Una releida rápida para organizar un curso.
Le doy 5 estrellas como libro de introducción básica mínima.