Fundamentals of Python: First Programs

Description

Master today's required computer science topics while preparing for further study with Lambert's FUNDAMENTALS OF PYTHON: FIRST PROGRAMS. This book's easygoing approach is ideal for readers with any type of background. The approach starts with simple algorithmic code and then scales into working with functions, objects, and classes as the problems become more complex and require new abstraction mechanisms. Rather than working only with numeric or text-based applications like other introductions, this edition presents graphics, image manipulation, GUIs, and simple networked client/server applications. The author uses Python's standard Turtle graphics module to introduce graphics and to provide open source frameworks for easy image processing and GUI application development. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version. Cover Table of Contents Preface Chapter 1: Introduction Two Fundamental Ideas of Computer Science: Algorithms and Information Processing Exercises The Structure of a Modern Computer System Exercises A Not-So-Brief History of Computing Systems Getting Started with Python Programming Exercises Detecting and Correcting Syntax Errors Exercises Suggestions for Further Reading Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 2: Software Development, Data Types, and Expressions The Software Development Process Exercises Case Study: Income Tax Calculator Strings, Assignment, and Comments Exercises Numeric Data Types and Character Sets Exercises Expressions Exercises Using Functions and Modules Exercises Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 3: Loops and Selection Statements Definite Iteration: The for Loop Exercises Formatting Text for Output Exercises Case Study: An Investment Report Selection: if and if-else Statements Exercises Conditional Iteration: The while Loop Exercises Case Study: Approximating Square Roots Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 4: Strings and Text Files Accessing Characters and Substrings in Strings Exercises Data Encryption Exercises Strings and Number Systems Exercises String Methods Exercises Text Files Exercises Case Study: Text Analysis Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 5: Lists and Dictionaries Lists Exercises Defining Simple Functions Exercises Case Study: Generating Sentences Dictionaries Exercises Case Study: Nondirective Psychotherapy Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 6: Design with Functions A Quick Review of What Functions Are and How They Work Exercises Problem Solving with Top-Down Design Exercises Design with Recursive Functions Exercises Case Study: Gathering Information from a File System Managing a Program's Namespace Exercises Higher-Order Functions Exercises Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 7: Simple Graphics and Image Processing Simple Graphics Exercises Case Study: Recursive Patterns in Fractals Image Processing Exercises Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 8: Graphical User Interfaces The Behavior of Terminal-Based Programs and GUI-Based Programs Exercises Coding Simple GUI-Based Programs Exercises Windows and Window Components Exercises Command Buttons and Responding to Events Exercises Input and Output with Entry Fields Exercises Defining and Using Instance Variables Exercises Case Study: The Guessing Game Revisited Other Useful GUI Resources Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 9: Design with Classes Getting Inside Objects and Classes Exercises Case Study: Playing the Game of Craps Data-Modeling Examples Exercises Case Study: An ATM Building a New Data Structure: The Two-Dimensional Grid Case Study: Data Encryption with a Block Cipher Structuring Classes with Inheritance and Polymorphism Exercises Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 10: Multithreading, Networks, and Client/Server Programming Threads and Processes Exercises The Readers and Writers Problem Exercises Networks, Clients, and Servers Exercises Case Study: Setting Up Conversations between Doctors and Patients Summary Review Questions Projects Chapter 11: Searching, Sorting, and Complexity Analysis Measuring the Efficiency of Algorithms Exercises Complexity Analysis Exercises Search Algorithms Exercises Basic Sort Algorithms Exercises Faster Sorting Exercises An Exponential Algorithm: Recursive Fibonacci Converting Fibonacci to a Linear Algorithm Case Study: An Algorithm Profiler Summary Review Questions Projects Appendix A: Python Resources Appendix B: Installing the images and breezypythongui Libraries Appendix C: The API for Image Processing Appendix D: Transition from Python to Java and C++ Glossary Index