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Product Description
"Computer programming is a powerful tool for children to 'learn learning,' that is, to learn the skills of thinking and problem-solving...Children who engage in programming transfer that kind of learning to other things."--Nicholas Negroponte, the man behind the One Laptop Per Child project that hopes to put a computer in the hands of every child on earth, January 2008
Your computer won't respond when you yell at it. Why not learn to talk to your computer in its own language? Whether you want to write games, start a business, or you're just curious, learning to program is a great place to start. Plus, programming is fun!
Hello World! provides a gentle but thorough introduction to the world of computer programming. It's written in language a 12-year-old can follow, but anyone who wants to learn how to program a computer can use it. Even adults. Written by Warren Sande and his son, Carter, and reviewed by professional educators, this book is kid-tested and parent-approved.
You don't need to know anything about programming to use the book. But you should know the basics of using a computer--e-mail, surfing the web, listening to music, and so forth. If you can start a program and save a file, you should have no trouble using this book.
About the Author
Warren Sande is an Electronic Systems Engineer who uses Python (and other languages) in his work, and also uses it to help teach his son about computers and programming. He holds a degree in Electronic Systems Engineering from the University of Regina, Saskatchewan as well as a Diploma in Communication Arts, specializing in Broadcasting, from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. He has taught introductory software courses to computer novices.
Carter Sande is a bright, curious, energetic, and thoughtful boy who loves computers, playing the piano, bouncing on the trampoline, and Mario. He has been playing and experimenting with computers from a young age.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What do you do if a bright youngster asks you about learning to program? This was a problem I had earlier this summer. There are lots of books out there that introduce languages -- but most of them are aimed at people who are already in the "l337 53kr3t k0d3rz klub".
Hello World! is one of those rare exceptions, a gentle, and humorous introduction to the idea of programming, using Python, a language well suited to filling the niche that BASIC dialects did a generation ago. Even to a crusty and cynical old-timer, like myself, it makes entertaining reading -- not only is the writing style light and engaging, but you can nod sagely and think "Been there, done that" at all the "In the good old days" asides.
Trying out on members of the target audience, it has proven a hit. In its catchy and absorbing manner, it explains the fundamentals (the simple things like variable names being, well, just names) clearly and the exercises concentrate on making fun things happen sooner rather than later. The infectious enthusiasm of the author even managed to hook my non-programmer wife, and get her trying out the examples.
The only reason I'm not giving the book a full 5 stars is that what makes it good as a teaching book, leading the reader in a quick tour of the concepts, rather than plodding through in a slow and structured (and boring) way leaves it not so good as a reference once the reader has worked through it.
Hello World! is one of those rare exceptions, a gentle, and humorous introduction to the idea of programming, using Python, a language well suited to filling the niche that BASIC dialects did a generation ago. Even to a crusty and cynical old-timer, like myself, it makes entertaining reading -- not only is the writing style light and engaging, but you can nod sagely and think "Been there, done that" at all the "In the good old days" asides.
Trying out on members of the target audience, it has proven a hit. In its catchy and absorbing manner, it explains the fundamentals (the simple things like variable names being, well, just names) clearly and the exercises concentrate on making fun things happen sooner rather than later. The infectious enthusiasm of the author even managed to hook my non-programmer wife, and get her trying out the examples.
The only reason I'm not giving the book a full 5 stars is that what makes it good as a teaching book, leading the reader in a quick tour of the concepts, rather than plodding through in a slow and structured (and boring) way leaves it not so good as a reference once the reader has worked through it.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are tons of Python books out there both for purchase or available for free under fair use conventions. This book is definitely worth the money. If you don't have any background in programming or learning Python for the first time this book is especially ideal. It is written for non-programmers and explains many of the things that other books presume the reader already knows. I used this book to teach a Middle school class Python and it was great. The only minor criticism I have is that it doesn't cover the basics sequentially, (strings, variables, etc) but rather it introduces concepts holisitically throughout the book. Again, depending on how you learn that may be a benefit to you. It has online resources plus a free ebook accompanying it which is nice.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's weird I remember being a kid in the 80s and there were loads of books for children on programming, not just how to get started but all different types of things to write programs about. Different collections of games program, adventures, action and so on. These days there seems to be almost nothing, which is a great shame. I had great difficulty finding anything to use with my children for programming however what a bit of luck that then one book that's available is so good. It's written as a dialogue between the father and his son and the approach is really engaging particularly for children. I know as we went through it my daughter was really taken by the challenges the little boy was seeing as he went along and the various wise cracks he made about how his father was explaining technical topics.
Brilliant book, if you're looking something to get your children going on the coding bug early on this is definitely the place to start.
Brilliant book, if you're looking something to get your children going on the coding bug early on this is definitely the place to start.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Python 2.5
I bought this for my grandson to be able to learn programming. I like the book, but was disappointed to find that it is written for Python 2.5 instead of the up-to-date Python 3.2. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Derek Waters
Excellent
Brilliant introduction to programming. Chapters are well paced and the 'tests' at the end of the chapter are thought provoking. Cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Published 3 months ago by Huw
Astonishing ...
I've been trying for some time to get my son, who has professed many times a desire to learn to program, a good book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Azrael
Listmania!
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