Practice of Computing Using Python, The, 3rd edition

For courses in Python Programming

Introduces Python programming with an emphasis on problem-solving

Now in its Third Edition, Practice of Computing Using Python continues to introduce both majors and non-majors taking CS1 courses to computational thinking using Python, with a strong emphasis on problem solving through computer science. The authors have chosen Python for its simplicity, powerful built-in data structures, advanced control constructs, and practicality. The text is built from the ground up for Python programming, rather than having been translated from Java or C++.

Focusing on data manipulation and analysis as a theme, the text allows students to work on real problems using Internet-sourced or self-generated data sets that represent their own work and interests. The authors also emphasize program development and provide both majors and non-majors with a practical foundation in programming that will be useful in their respective fields. Among other changes, the Third Edition incorporates a switch to the Anaconda distribution, the SPYDER IDE, and a focus on debugging and GUIs.

About the Book

• NEW! A switch to Anaconda distribution, made freely available from Continuum Analytics, includes more than 100 pre-installed modules, removing the need for package installation.
• NEW! Fully adopted SPYDER Integrated Development Environment as a default method for editing and debugging code in the text. A truly modern IDE, Spyder has the advantages of including an integrated editor, associated interactive console, integrated debugging, integrated variable explorer, and integrated documentation viewer. Chapter 1 has been rewritten to incorporate the SPYDER IDE.
• NEW! Anaconda also includes the iPython console, a more capable console, with features including:
  • An interactive history list
  • Help on functions and variables using the “?” syntax
  • Command line completion
• UPDATED! iPython console incorporated in every session withits features sprinkled throughout the text.
• NEW! “What’s wrong with my code” element has been added to several chapters to address the challenge of debugging.
• UPDATED! “Visual Vignettes” have been updated and simplified.
• NEW! Simple GUI development is included in several chapters, as well as a new appendix on web-based GUIs in response to student interest.
• NEW! 80 new end-of-chapter exercises are included.
• UPDATED! Chapter 16 provides discussion about Python Numbers and the various representations that are available.
• REVISED! Chapter 5 has been rewritten to not depend on Chapter 4, allowing instructors to choose the order in which they introduce concepts of strings and functions.
• Problem solving and case studies are emphasized throughout the text, including in 3 optional chapters (3, 10, and 13) that use examples to show mistakes and how to recover from them.
• Real-world, gender-neutral examples and exercises encourage students to use Python to sort, apply, graph, and convert data. Examples include poker hands, the Gettysburg Address, EPA mileage data, breast cancer classifier, speech analysis, political debates, and S&P 500 analysis.
• An “object-use-first” approach is taken, with the authors using objects and methods early, while leaving the design and implementation of objects for later in the text, once mastery of the use of objects has been achieved.
• A traditional CS1 order with some significant differences, including:
  • Strings are covered early (before functions) to allow for more data manipulation early in the text.
  • File I/O is covered early for the same reason as strings.
  • Topics such as plotting and drawing are included throughout the text in service of the data manipulation theme.
• Incorporates data structures as early as possible, including lists and strings, which show up before they are covered in detail.
• Drawing and graphing packages are incorporated and covered in the appendices.
• Over 180 code examples illustrate piecemeal development of larger problems.
• Almost 250 interactive sessions are provided to illustrate programming and problem-solving concepts.
• Over 275 short exercises and nearly 30 longer programming projects, many with multiple parts, are included.
• 24 self-check exercises are embedded within the chapters, each with 5 or more associated questions.
• Over 40 notes provide useful programming tips and are boxed for emphasis.

About the Book

• A switch to Anaconda distribution, made freely available from Continuum Analytics, includes more than 100 pre-installed modules, removing the need for package installation.
• Fully adopted SPYDER Integrated Development Environment as a default method for editing and debugging code in the text. A truly modern IDE, Spyder has the advantages of including an integrated editor, associated interactive console, integrated debugging, integrated variable explorer, and integrated documentation viewer. Chapter 1 has been rewritten to incorporate the SPYDER IDE.
• Anaconda also includes the iPython console, a more capable console, with features including:
• An interactive history list
• Help on functions and variables using the “?” syntax
• Command line completion
• UPDATED! iPython console incorporated in every session withits features sprinkled throughout the text.
• “What’s wrong with my code” element has been added to several chapters to address the challenge of debugging.
• UPDATED! “Visual Vignettes” have been updated and simplified.
• Simple GUI development is included in several chapters, as well as a new appendix on web-based GUIs in response to student interest.
• 80 new end-of-chapter exercises are included.
• UPDATED! Chapter 16 provides discussion about Python Numbers and the various representations that are available.
• REVISED! Chapter 5 has been rewritten to not depend on Chapter 4, allowing instructors to choose the order in which they introduce concepts of strings and functions.