Karel the Robot: A Gentle Introduction to the Art of Programming

Teaches the fundamentals of programming in a non-computer environment. Programs move a robot through the streets of a city, not information through the circuits of a computer. Helps in the understanding of fundamental programming concepts. All principles learned can be directly applied to the programming of computers. Covers syntax, basic control structures, and programming methodology and style.

Get a Fast, Clear Understanding of the Concepts and Skills of Good Programming! Karel the Robot, Second Edition

Karel the Robot teaches you the fundamental concepts and skills of programming — quickly and easily! By emphasizing logic and structure over calculation, it provides a nonthreatening introduction to the central ideas in programming — the same ideas that apply to all computer programming languages. This widely-praised guide begins by introducing Karel, a literal-minded robot whose built-in capabilities allow him to explore his world and manipulate simple objects in it. It then introduces Karel's programming language (a block-structured language similar to Pascal), which emphasizes logical deduction and spatial reasoning rather than calculation and algebraic reasoning. Once you learn the details of Karel's deceptively simple programming language, you will soon be designing well-structured programs that instruct Karel to perform surprisingly complex tasks. Along the way, you will be absorbing sophisticated programming concepts that will enhance your programming ability! A software simulator for Karel's programming language and world is available on a wide variety of mainframes and microcomputers — details inside.

Some comments about the Second Edition

"I think Karel the Robot is the greatest way to introduce programming concepts that I have seen."
—Tim Thurman, University of Kansas

"I first used this language in 1981 as a student. I found it to be stimulating and challenging. In 1984 I began using Karel as a teacher. Since 1984 I have used Karel every term except one. That term represented an experiment to see how students would do without using Karel. I was not satisfied; the students performed poorly relative to those who used Karel."
—Peter Casey, Central Oregon Community College

"There are no bits, no bytes or bugaboos to intimidate new minds to computers. Pattis et al. have done a wonderful job in assembling a simple little robot, giving it a little language to understand, giving it a little world to wander about in, and finally giving it to [us] so that we can all play and learn in Karel's world."
—Billibon H. Yoshimi, Columbia University