Introduction to Computer Science Using Python

What Hacker News says

1. klodolphJul 2022
   I don't think there's much friction to Python either.

       $ python
       >>> while True:
       ...     print("Help, I'm trapped in a loop!")
   

   There's a little bit more punctuation (>>> and ... don't count) but you don't have to fuss with line numbers.

   These days, when someone I know is interested in learning some computer programming, I tell them to get a copy of Introduction to Computer Science Using Python by Dierbach. My own intro programming books are horribly outdated at this point, but I happen to have a copy of Dierbach's book, and I think it is pretty nice. You start up by firing up the Python REPL on your computer, and from there it talks about how computers work.

   IMO, this is an easier way to start computer programming than we ever had with BASIC. The barrier to entry is as low as it ever was, the languages are a lot nicer and you can definitely get real work done with Python, and over the years we've gotten more textbooks & better textbooks.

   Honestly, the real friction here is that you have to open up a terminal window and type "python". Or if you are interested in JavaScript, you have to press Ctrl+Shift+I or some other combo to bring up a REPL in whatever browser window is already open. It's not friction, it's just a little obfuscation--give someone a computer and they probably won't discover Python or JavaScript just by playing around with it, but if you give someone an Apple II, they're going to run head-first into BASIC.

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2. rhwk97Jan 2019
   Although not a course, I thought this had some excellent material: Practical Programming (2nd edition) An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python 3 https://pragprog.com/book/gwpy2/practical-programming
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3. ShooterMay 2008
   For a complete newbie, the Zelle book is probably even better. I think it is called "An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python." MIT and a few other schools use it now, but it is a very gentle introduction.

   HTDP.org is also really good if you go the Scheme route instead.

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4. mattfrommarsNov 2017
   Thanks for the resource. I'm studying programming at a university and I just feel they are teaching everything very high level. The video on the website of nand2Tetris was very fascinating. From the coding courses I've done on and off, I thought the chain ended at "Assembly Language" but in reality, the rabbit hole goes deeper! The book is available in my library and going to grab it now!

   I found the Harvard CS50 really, flashy and fluff. Didn't enjoy it. I took an alternate to it, Introduction to Computer Science using Python on Edx.

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5. mattfrommarsJun 2017
   Ok, so the problem seems to be 'lack of maintainer' or could be stretched to contributer. The article later linked to https://www.slideshare.net/NadiaEghbal/consider-the-maintain... which kind of reminded me a problem which I'm facing.

   After getting through basic of "Introduction to Computer Science Using Python" and forever pending goal to become a "Python Developer", is anyone here who is experience in Python willing to be my mentor? In return, free Python labor. :)

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6. mattfrommarsMar 2017
   Ok, this is a little worrying. I've read through the all the conversation here but is it really that difficult to get jobs for people who already are involved in Data Science? Here I was thinking if I do a course on Data Science fundamentals of computer science online, I would on tract of getting a computer science/data science job.

   My future really rests upon this. I have a degree in mechanical engineering with irrelevant experience. My only regret is not doing bachelors in computer science.

   I wouldn't lie if all the post got me little tensed and made me thinking, "what am I doing with my time". About to finish introduction to Computer Science using Python on Edx.

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