Programming Concepts in Python

Programming Concepts in Python is one in a series of books that introduce the basic concepts of computer programming, using a selected programming language. Other books in the series use languages like C++ and Java, but all focus on concepts and not on any particular language. The presentation of the material is the same in each language, and much of the text is identical. Code samples are specific to the selected language, and some unique language features are unavoidably included, but the presentation is largely language-independent. A unique feature of the book is that it explains how to acquire, install, and use freely available software to edit, compile, and run console programs on just about any system, including Windows and Mac. Its examples use command line compiling, so that the presentation remains focused on programming concepts and avoids becoming a training tool for a specific Ide. The three-part organization of material starts with the basics of sequential processing, then adds branching and looping logic and subprograms, and ends with arrays and objects. It turns a beginner with no programming experience into a programmer, prepared to continue their training in Python or just about any other specific programming language.

Robert Burns is a professor of Computer Science at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, where he teaches first and second year computer programming students, preparing them for further study in computer science, computer engineering, and related fields. Professor Burns designed the Programming Concepts series for first year programming students at the college. In addition to teaching, Professor Burns is a contract programmer and web programmer with continuous experience dating back to the 1970s.