A hands-on, problem-based introduction to building algorithms and data structures to solve problems with a computer. Algorithmic Thinking will teach you how to solve challenging programming problems and design your own algorithms. Daniel Zingaro, a master teacher, draws his examples from world-class programming competitions like USACO and IOI. You'll learn how to classify problems, choose data structures, and identify appropriate algorithms. You'll also learn how your choice of data structure, whether a hash table, heap, or tree, can affect runtime and speed up your algorithms; and how to adopt powerful strategies like recursion, dynamic programming, and binary search to solve challenging problems. Line-by-line breakdowns of the code will teach you how to use algorithms and data structures like: The breadth-first search algorithm to find the optimal way to play a board game or find the best way to translate a book Dijkstra's algorithm to determine how many mice can exit a maze or the number of fastest routes between two locations The union-find data structure to answer questions about connections in a social network or determine who are friends or enemies The heap data structure to determine the amount of money given away in a promotion The hash-table data structure to determine whether snowflakes are unique or identify compound words in a dictionary NOTE: Each problem in this book is available on a programming-judge website. You'll find the site's URL and problem ID in the description. What's better than a free correctness check?

Unlock the power of Python with this comprehensive guide, “Python and Algorithmic Thinking for the Complete Beginner.” It covers everything from computer basics to advanced decision and loop control structures. Key Features Comprehensive coverage from basic computer operations to advanced programming concepts Step-by-step progression of each topic, along with tips and tricks to enhance coding efficiency In-depth exploration of Python and algorithmic thinking with exercises and practical examples Book DescriptionThis course is meticulously designed to take beginners on a journey through the fascinating world of Python programming and algorithmic thinking. The initial chapters lay a strong foundation, starting with the basics of how computers operate, moving into Python programming, and familiarizing learners with integrated development environments like IDLE and Visual Studio Code. Further, the course delves into essential programming constructs such as variables, constants, input/output handling, and operators. You'll gain practical experience with trace tables, sequence control structures, and decision control structures through comprehensive exercises and examples. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning with chapters dedicated to manipulating numbers, strings, and understanding complex mathematical expressions. By mastering these concepts, you'll be well-prepared to tackle more advanced topics. The final chapters introduce you to object-oriented programming and file manipulation, rounding out your skill set. Throughout the course, practical tips and tricks are provided to enhance your coding efficiency and problem-solving skills. By the end of this course, you will have a robust understanding of Python programming and the ability to apply algorithmic thinking to solve real-world problems.What you will learn Understand how computers work and the basics of Python programming Install and use integrated development environments (IDEs) Develop skills in decision and loop control structures Manipulate data using lists, dictionaries, and strings Apply algorithmic thinking to solve complex problems Gain proficiency in object-oriented programming & file manipulation Who this book is for This course is ideal for absolute beginners with no prior programming experience. Basic computer literacy is required, but no specific knowledge of programming or algorithms is necessary. It is also suitable for individuals looking to refresh their Python skills and enhance their understanding of algorithmic thinking. High school and college students interested in programming, professionals seeking to upskill, and hobbyists eager to learn a new programming language will all find value in this course.

Learn to Code by Solving Problems is a practical introduction to programming using Python. It uses coding-competition challenges to teach you the mechanics of coding and how to think like a savvy programmer. Computers are capable of solving almost any problem when given the right instructions. That’s where programming comes in. This beginner’s book will have you writing Python programs right away. You’ll solve interesting problems drawn from real coding competitions and build your programming skills as you go. Every chapter presents problems from coding challenge websites, where online judges test your solutions and provide targeted feedback. As you practice using core Python features, functions, and techniques, you’ll develop a clear understanding of data structures, algorithms, and other programming basics. Bonus exercises invite you to explore new concepts on your own, and multiple-choice questions encourage you to think about how each piece of code works. You’ll learn how to: Run Python code, work with strings, and use variables Write programs that make decisions Make code more efficient with while and for loops Use Python sets, lists, and dictionaries to organize, sort, and search data Design programs using functions and top-down design Create complete-search algorithms and use Big O notation to design more efficient code By the end of the book, you’ll not only be proficient in Python, but you’ll also understand how to think through problems and tackle them with code. Programming languages come and go, but this book gives you the lasting foundation you need to start thinking like a programmer.

Thoroughly revised for the latest version of C#, this book explains basic concepts in a clear and explicit way that takes very seriously one thing for granted-that the reader knows nothing about computer programming. Addressed to anyone who has no prior programming knowledge or experience, but a desire to learn programming with C#, it teaches the first thing that every novice programmer needs to learn, which is Algorithmic Thinking. Algorithmic Thinking involves more than just learning code. It is a problem-solving process that involves learning how to code. This edition contains all the popular features of the previous edition and adds a significant number of exercises, as well as extensive revisions and updates. Apart from C# 's arrays, it now also covers dictionaries, while a brand new section provides an effective introduction to the next field that a programmer needs to work with, which is Object Oriented Programming (OOP). This book has a class course structure with questions and exercises at the end of each chapter so you can test what you have learned right away and improve your comprehension. With 250 solved and 450 unsolved exercises, 475 true/false, about 150 multiple choice, and 200 review questions and crosswords (the solutions and the answers to which can be found on the Internet), this book is ideal for novices or average programmers, for self-study high school students first-year college or university students teachers professors anyone who wants to start learning or teaching computer programming using the proper conventions and techniques

Expand your Python skills by working with data structures and algorithms in a refreshing context—through an eye-opening exploration of complexity science. Whether you’re an intermediate-level Python programmer or a student of computational modeling, you’ll delve into examples of complex systems through a series of exercises, case studies, and easy-to-understand explanations. You’ll work with graphs, algorithm analysis, scale-free networks, and cellular automata, using advanced features that make Python such a powerful language. Ideal as a text for courses on Python programming and algorithms, Think Complexity will also help self-learners gain valuable experience with topics and ideas they might not encounter otherwise. Work with NumPy arrays and SciPy methods, basic signal processing and Fast Fourier Transform, and hash tables Study abstract models of complex physical systems, including power laws, fractals and pink noise, and Turing machines Get starter code and solutions to help you re-implement and extend original experiments in complexity Explore the philosophy of science, including the nature of scientific laws, theory choice, realism and instrumentalism, and other topics Examine case studies of complex systems submitted by students and readers

This textbook, for second- or third-year students of computer science, presents insights, notations, and analogies to help them describe and think about algorithms like an expert, without grinding through lots of formal proof. Solutions to many problems are provided to let students check their progress, while class-tested PowerPoint slides are on the web for anyone running the course. By looking at both the big picture and easy step-by-step methods for developing algorithms, the author guides students around the common pitfalls. He stresses paradigms such as loop invariants and recursion to unify a huge range of algorithms into a few meta-algorithms. The book fosters a deeper understanding of how and why each algorithm works. These insights are presented in a careful and clear way, helping students to think abstractly and preparing them for creating their own innovative ways to solve problems.

Get in the game and learn essential computer algorithms by solving competitive programming problems, in the fully revised second edition of the bestselling original. (Still no math required!) Are you hitting a wall with data structures and algorithms? Whether you’re a student prepping for coding interviews or an independent learner, this book is your essential guide to efficient problem-solving in programming. UNLOCK THE POWER OF DATA STRUCTURES & ALGORITHMS: Learn the intricacies of hash tables, recursion, dynamic programming, trees, graphs, and heaps. Become proficient in choosing and implementing the best solutions for any coding challenge. REAL-WORLD, COMPETITION-PROVEN CODE EXAMPLES: The programs and challenges in this book aren’t just theoretical—they’re drawn from real programming competitions. Train with problems that have tested and honed the skills of coders around the world. GET INTERVIEW-READY: Prepare yourself for coding interviews with practice exercises that help you think algorithmically, weigh different solutions, and implement the best choices efficiently. WRITTEN IN C, USEFUL ACROSS LANGUAGES: The code examples are written in C and designed for clarity and accessibility to those familiar with languages like C++, Java, or Python. If you need help with the C code, no problem: We’ve got recommended reading, too. Algorithmic Thinking is the complete package, providing the solid foundation you need to elevate your coding skills to the next level.