Name: Think like a Programmer
ISBN: 9781593274245

Think like a Programmer

"The real challenge of programming isn't learning a language's syntax--it's learning to creatively solve problems so you can build something great. In this one-of-a-kind text, author V. Anton Spraul breaks down the ways that programmers solve problems and teaches you what other introductory books often ignore: how to Think Like a Programmer. Each chapter tackles a single programming concept, like classes, pointers, and recursion, and open-ended exercises throughout challenge you to apply your knowledge. You'll also learn how to: Split problems into discrete components to make them easier to solve: Make the most of code reuse with functions, classes, and libraries pick the perfect data structure for a particular job: Master more advanced programming tools like recursion and dynamic memory: Organize your thoughts and develop strategies to tackle particular types of problems. Although the book's examples are written in C++, the creative problem-solving concepts they illustrate go beyond any particular language; in fact, they often reach outside the realm of computer science. As the most skillful programmers know, writing great code is a creative art--and the first step in creating your masterpiece is learning to Think Like a Programmer"

What Hacker News says

elda534Oct 2018

there is a series of books by this woman named Barbara Oakley, she studied languages while she did military service because all throughout her schooling she felt bad at math and science, now she has a PHd in Engineering, you might get something out of reading them, the first one (or at least the more influential one) is called "A Mind for Numbers"

there are also other books you might get something out of, thinking about pursuing a career in web development, which is related to computer science and programming, too many to list, but a couple I've read recently and think are really worth reading are "How to Solve it" by G. Polya, and "Think Like a Programmer" by V. Anton Spraul

also, don't feel to down for flunking, or get the idea that vocational school is less worthwhile than University (short them, maybe, but if you're good, it doesn't matter if you didn't get a University Degree, I myself have a job as a Software Developer and haven't gotten a degree)

do be honest from now on, and stay disciplined, there was this guy (can't remember the name right now) who said that we aren't truly free unless we are disciplined, for we are slaves to our bodily urges, and to our laziness, or something to that effect

asking for help is a start, stay motivated!

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tuzemecDec 2012

I recently started reading "Think Like a Programmer" (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1593274246) and I find it quite helpful.

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dfxm12Nov 2024

This sounds like a book I needed for one of my early comp sci classes in college. It was called something like Think Like a Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving. Maybe it was this, maybe it was something like this.

I mean to say, just applied scientific thinking is important. Even if you never get into pure math or computer programming, applying concepts like "variables", "functions" or "proofs" is universally useful.

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