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    Cover of Learning Processing

    Learning Processing

    Daniel Shiffman · 2008

    This book teaches you the basic building blocks of programming needed to create cutting-edge graphics applications including interactive art, live video processing, and data visualization. A unique lab-style manual, the book gives graphic and web designers, artists, and illustrators of all stripes a jumpstart on working with the Processing programming environment by providing instruction on the basic principles of the language, followed by careful explanations of select advanced techniques. Within these pages, ITP (Tisch School of the Arts, New York University) professor Daniel Shiffman demonstrates the fundamentals of programming that will expand your understanding of what is possible in the world of computer graphics. By travelling beyond the confines of proprietary software, you will be empowered to create your own custom design tools. * A friendly start-up guide to Processing, the free, open-source alternative to expensive software and daunting programming languages for the visual artist * No previous experience required-this book is for the true programming beginner! * Step-by-step examples, thorough explanations, hands-on exercises, and simple code samples support your learning curve. Source code and supplemental tutorials are also available through an online companion site

    ProgrammingComputer Science
    Open LibraryAmazon
    Stats for nerds
    6recommend
    9mentions
    7people
    2012–2023years
    89% recommend11% neutral

    Mentions per year

    2012201420162018202020222023

    What Hacker News says

    1. robayeJan 2023
      If you don't care what language you're starting with, but rather just want a good introduction to programming then I can't recommend Daniel Shiffman's[0] Learning Processing[1] book enough. It uses Java and Processing[2] to make visual interactive programs instead of the traditional text-based programs.

      0. https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCodingTrain

      1. http://learningprocessing.com/

      2. https://processing.org/

      thread
    2. bmitcApr 2022
      * How to Code: Simple Data and How to Code: Complex Data on edX. Taught by Gregor Kiczales, of Common Lisp and CLOS fame. Uses Racket and graphical programs to teach.

      https://www.edx.org/course/how-to-code-simple-data

      https://www.edx.org/course/how-to-code-complex-data

      * The From Nand to Teris project, The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles book, and/or Coursera course. Builds a hardware stack for a CPU and then a software stack (assembler, VM, high-level language).

      https://www.nand2tetris.org/

      https://www.coursera.org/learn/build-a-computer

      https://www.coursera.org/learn/nand2tetris2

      https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Computing-Systems-second-Pri...

      * The How to Design Programs book. What the edX course above is based upon.

      https://htdp.org/

      https://www.amazon.com/How-Design-Programs-Introduction-Prog...

      * Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (SICP). Uses Scheme. One can use Racket with the `#lang sicp` language.

      https://mitpress.mit.edu/sites/default/files/sicp/index.html

      https://www.amazon.com/Structure-Interpretation-Computer-Pro...

      YouTube playlist of the course by the authors: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE18841CABEA24090

      * Thinking as Computation: A First Course. Uses Prolog to solve problems of thinking.

      https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Computation-First-Course-Pre...

      https://www.cs.toronto.edu/~hector/PublicTCSlides.pdf

      * Turtle Geometry: The Computer as a Medium for Exploring Mathematics (shares an author with SICP). Uses Logo to explore turtle geometry/graphics. Can use any modern Logo implementation.

      https://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Geometry-Mathematics-Artificia...

      https://direct.mit.edu/books/book/4663/Turtle-GeometryThe-Co...

      * Starting Forth. Uses Forth.

      https://www.forth.com/starting-forth/

      https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Forth-Leo-Brodie-ebook/dp/B0...

      * Learning Processing: A Beginner's Guide to Programming Images, Animation, and Interaction and also The Nature of Code: Simulating Natural Systems with Processing. Uses Processing and p5.js (the JavaScript version of Processing).

      http://learningprocessing.com/

      https://natureofcode.com/

      https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Processing-Beginners-Program...

      https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Code-Simulating-Natural-Proces...

      The author's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/TheCodingTrain

      https://processing.org/

      thread
    3. nrjamesAug 2019
      Learning Processing (book), by Daniel Shiffman. Here's the Amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Processing-Beginners-Program...
      thread
    4. nrjamesMay 2017
      It's a great book but his Learning Processing: A Beginners Guide to Programming Images, Animation, and Interaction (2nd Ed) is a better introductory book.
      thread
    5. tomek_zemlaMar 2017
      For somebody coming from graphic design background https://processing.org would be and excellent place to learn about programming. It was designed with creative types in mind, has large communities, many resources including books and courses and a newer JavaScript version. I would also recommend Generative Design book: http://www.generative-gestaltung.de/about

      Learning Processing would not be directly useful for building web and mobile sites, but in my opinion be an excellent stepping stone for a graphic designer towards the world of technology and creative uses of programming. Using JavaScript (P5.js) to create visuals could be an interesting path for designer as an end goal and/or relevant and engaging way to learn coding concepts that can be later applied towards building sites or apps of any type.

      thread
    6. nrjamesJul 2016
      I'm a big fan of Processing or p5.js for teaching kids that age how to write code. The immediate visual feedback from a line or two of code creates a positive feedback loop that encourages learning. Shiffman's book Learning Processing is a great gentle introduction: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Processing-Second-Programmin...

      His Nature of Code work -- simulating nature through code -- also is really interesting but requires a little background in coding.

      thread

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