Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Downey, Allen: 9781491939369: Amazon.com: Books

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If you want to learn how to program, working with Python is an excellent way to start. This hands-on guide takes you through the language a step at a time, beginning with basic programming concepts before moving on to functions, recursion, data structures, and object-oriented design. This second edition and its supporting code have been updated for Python 3.

Through exercises in each chapter, you’ll try out programming concepts as you learn them. Think Python is ideal for students at the high school or college level, as well as self-learners, home-schooled students, and professionals who need to learn programming basics. Beginners just getting their feet wet will learn how to start with Python in a browser.

Start with the basics, including language syntax and semantics
Get a clear definition of each programming concept
Learn about values, variables, statements, functions, and data structures in a logical progression
Discover how to work with files and databases
Understand objects, methods, and object-oriented programming
Use debugging techniques to fix syntax, runtime, and semantic errors
Explore interface design, data structures, and GUI-based programs through case studies

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Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
Allen B. Downey

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O'Reilly's mission is to change the world by sharing the knowledge of innovators. For over 40 years, we've inspired companies and individuals to do new things (and do them better) by providing the skills and understanding that are necessary for success.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Allen Downey is a Professor of Computer Science at Olin College of Engineering. He has taught at Wellesley College, Colby College and U.C. Berkeley. He has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from U.C. Berkeley and Master's and Bachelor's degrees from MIT.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ O'Reilly Media
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 26, 2016
Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 289 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1491939362
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1491939369
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.5 x 9 inches
Part of series ‏ : ‎ Learning Python

Best Sellers Rank: #220,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #61 in Object-Oriented Design
- #182 in Python Programming
- #203 in Software Development (Books)

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Allen Downey

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Allen Downey is a Professor Emeritus at Olin College and Principal Data Scientist at PyMC Labs. He is the author of several books related to programming and data science, including Probably Overthinking It, Think Python, Think Stats, and Think Bayes. The idea behind these books is that if you know how to program, you can use that skill to learn other things.

Allen has a Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley and M.S. and B.S. degrees from MIT. He has taught at Olin College, Colby College and Wellesley College.

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Customers find the book effectively teaches the basics of Python and serves as an awesome introduction to the language. Moreover, they appreciate its easy-to-understand language and concise presentation. Additionally, customers find the book affordable.

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35 customers mention "Python learning"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book effectively teaches Python basics and serves as an awesome introduction to the language, with one customer noting it provides many practicing opportunities.

"Great start to learning Python. This was my first book, and I think I got off to a good start to go into others." Read more

"...I like the use of very basic examples." Read more

"Great book. Helped me through two CS classes. The pages are tattered from going through it, but I'm grateful that I bought it." Read more

"...It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources available to you as well, which I found really..." Read more

30 customers mention "Readability"28 positive2 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand, with one customer noting its clear approach to teaching.

"Great book. Helped me through two CS classes. The pages are tattered from going through it, but I'm grateful that I bought it." Read more

"One of the best books I've read on programming so far. It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources..." Read more

"...Overall, as a primer it's a great book. But be prepared to go deeper with other resources if you want to become even a good novice Python programmer." Read more

"...Concise, readable, and well-organized. This book earns its reputation." Read more

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Customers find the book very affordable, with one mentioning that the online version is free.

"...It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources available to you as well, which I found really..." Read more

"...Cards are really nice are good price as well." Read more

"The online version are free. It should be cheaper. But overall it is okay" Read more

"...st off....waaaaay cheaper than on campus. Second, does the job and fairly simple explanation of how python works." Read more

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NAWSbrat
Easy to read and understand
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great book. Helped me through two CS classes. The pages are tattered from going through it, but I'm grateful that I bought it.

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Mikkel Ridley
Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2019
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One of the best books I've read on programming so far. It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources available to you as well, which I found really useful.
The only caveat I would give is that this may not be the best choice for the math-averse, as many of the exercises involve dealing with math problems. I would not consider myself particularly mathematically inclined and can still get through them with some effort, and enjoy the challenge of learning something new and putting some long-unused brain cells to work, but it may be frustrating if you really hate math. There is always the option to skip exercises you don't like, of course.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in programming, or wanting to learn Python, beginners included. I had a little programming experience coming in, and breezed through the first few chapters, but the exercises quickly build in difficulty so even after a few chapters, I think all but quite experienced programmers will find some that are challenging and help you build proficiency in the language.

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Jesse Torres
It's five-stars as a Python primer
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2021
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is a fine book for someone who wants an introduction to Python programming. I think it is good for someone who is uncertain about what Python is all about. It will definitely give the reader an indication about the language and its structure.

If you are looking to learn Python in-depth, this is not the book for you. However, if you want a survey of Python - what it can do, how it works (generally) - this is a good book.

I like the easy-to-understand language used in this book. The author does not make any assumptions about prior programming knowledge.

The book just scratches the surface of Python. It runs though a large number of topics, touching each with just enough to give the reader an understanding of the bigger picture. However, it doesn't do a deep dive on any topic in particular.

Overall, as a primer it's a great book. But be prepared to go deeper with other resources if you want to become even a good novice Python programmer.

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J. Edgar
Good Supplement
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I used this book as a supplement to a class I was taking in Python. It was good as a supplement, but I do worry that it would not be sufficient for someone who was only using this book or someone who had not had a bit of a background in doing some programming stuff. The exercises are also made for someone who has a decent understanding of math and personally I stopped trying the exercises after the first few chapters because of that, as well as having other problems that had been assigned to me for the course I was taking.

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AG
Good value
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I bought this book for one of my college courses. It's a really good book. It explains the coding well and uses good examples. Bought book new and received in great condition.

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Gary Croke
Great book, not just for learning Python, but learning to program in general.
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2022
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Very effectively teaches the basics of Python and programming methodology. I don't think I've read a better book for coding novices. If you work through this book fully, including the exercises, you can go from zero to being a decent programmer very quickly.

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Bob The Builder
Kinda advanced, but still good.
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book was a lifesaver for my Python class! It really helped explain things in a clear way, but I wouldn't recommend starting here if you're a total beginner. It seemed like the book assumed you already knew some programming stuff.

The exercises were cool, but way too math-heavy for me after a while. I got slammed with other classwork too, so I ended up skipping most of them after the first few chapters. Still, a great book for brushing up on Python!

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Wendell
I think, therefore I am
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
The change was subtle at first; flipping each page and reading each line, day after day. It was when I reached the 6th chapter that the evolution moved from metal to a physical realization. I prefer my sun drenched back porch to my cold office, my skin is segmented into hexagonal scales, and my wife loves the new fork in my tongue. Out of five dead mice, I give it a ten and that’s saying something because we are talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for at least a week.

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Wendell

I think, therefore I am

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
The change was subtle at first; flipping each page and reading each line, day after day. It was when I reached the 6th chapter that the evolution moved from metal to a physical realization. I prefer my sun drenched back porch to my cold office, my skin is segmented into hexagonal scales, and my wife loves the new fork in my tongue. Out of five dead mice, I give it a ten and that’s saying something because we are talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for at least a week.

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Howar Stugard
Good book
Reviewed in Italy on July 31, 2021
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Item was as advertised.

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apnkpp
A good book.
Reviewed in Mexico on November 29, 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book cover all basics of the python programming language as it attempts to develop good programming practices and skills. It is a good book to be used as reference but if you have some experience with the language and want to take your skills to a different level then you need another book.

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skylon
A tiny but powerful reference book.
Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Liked the packaging and the shape of the product.
Though I had been working with Python for a while now, I wanted a book that explained what works and why, when it comes to Python;
When following any online tutorial or solutions online , most times I noticed that - essentially although their way of working the syntax worked but none seemed to know or explain why. So, to that end - this book does the job really well.

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rachelbee14
The book you didn't think you needed
Reviewed in Germany on January 24, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
For anyone not coming from a programming background this book is a lifesaver. The author explains concepts clearly and it is truly a joy to read

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Taufik Hidayat
Perfect
Reviewed in Singapore on November 20, 2020
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Awesome..

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Taufik Hidayat

Perfect

Reviewed in Singapore on November 20, 2020
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5.0 out of 5 stars Good book

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A tiny but powerful reference book.

5.0 out of 5 stars The book you didn't think you needed

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect

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Good book

A good book.

A tiny but powerful reference book.

The book you didn't think you needed

Perfect