Welcome to the official authors' companion web site for Building Python Programs. This new textbook is designed for use in a first course in computer science. We have written it for a broad audience, not just for computer science majors. It is based on the best-selling Building Java Programs, currently in its 4th edition. The Python textbook materials have also been class tested with hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Arizona, most of whom were not CS majors.

Please visit Pearson's official site for Building Python Programs for more information.

Purchasing the Textbook:

If you are a student in a course using this textbook, your instructor probably prefers for you to purchase the book from your school/university bookstore as appropriate. Otherwise can also order it online, such as:

• Order Building Python Programs 1st edition from Amazon.com

About the Textbook:

Our book uses a "back to basics" approach that stresses fundamentals first. We know from years of experience that a broad range of scientists, engineers and others can be taught how to program in a procedural manner. So our book begins with a traditional procedural approach.  Once we have built a solid foundation of procedural techniques, we turn to object oriented programming. By the end of the course, students will have learned about both styles of programming.

• Back to Basics in CS1 and CS2, presented at SIGCSE '06 by Stuart Reges

Our book is also problem-centered. Rather than just describing programming constructs, we talk in detail about how to apply each construct and where a novice is likely to go wrong when learning how to use each new construct. All of our early chapters end with a comprehensive "case study" example so that students can see how to apply the new concepts to a mid-sized program. At the University of Washington, we cover a chapter each week and have a different programming assignment each week to allow students to practice the new concepts.

Finally, our book is layered in the early chapters so that students don't become overwhelmed. Teaching a novice to program is like building a house of cards. Each new card has to be placed carefully. If you rush the process and try to place too many cards at once, the entire structure collapses.

Please also visit Addison Wesley's official promotional web site about our book, linked below.

Testimonials:

Since the book is newly released, we are still seeking feedback. Are you an instructor using the book? Do you have feedback for us? Please contact us using the email address below.

To see feedback on the Building Java Programs series on which this book is based, please visit that book's official web site at buildingjavaprograms.com.

Contact Us:

If you'd like an instructor sample copy of the book, please contact your Pearson representative. If you'd like to get in touch with the authors to learn more about the textbook, please contact us at the following email address:

authors AT buildingpythonprograms DOT com

We look forward to hearing from you!

-- Stuart, Marty, and Allison