Coding for Beginners in easy steps: Basic Programming for All Ages

by Mike McGrath

Coding for Beginners in easy steps has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to anyone, of any age, who wants to begin coding computer programs. You need have no previous knowledge of any computer programming language so it's ideal for the newcomer, including youngsters needing to learn programming basics for the school curriculum.

The book instructs you how to write code to create your own computer programs. It contains separate chapters demonstrating how to store information in data structures, how to control program flow using control structures, and how to create re-usable blocks of code in program functions. There are complete step-by-step example programs that demonstrate each aspect of coding, together with screenshots that illustrate the actual output when each program has been executed.

Coding for Beginners in easy steps begins by explaining how to easily create a programming environment on your own computer, so you can quickly begin to create your own working programs by copying the book's examples. The examples throughout this book feature the popular Python programming language but additionally the final chapter demonstrates a comparison example in the C, C++, and Java programming languages to give you a rounded view of computer coding.

Genres: Coding, Technology, Nonfiction, Computers, Education, Programming

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2015

About the author

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Reviews

[Srinivasan Nanduri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good to read and follow for newbies to code. Helped to get back to the syntax and semantics of Python that I have not been to in the last few years.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to teach yourself to code, with ABSOLUTELY NO CODING EXPERIENCE. And I truly mean zilch. This book is a gold mine. I have gotten recommendations from programmers to start with Python, and I recommend this book highly. Supplement it with programiz online, and it's a great start.

One of my criticisms is someone REALLY should have proof read this because some of the paragraph explanations are distracting run on sentences, which make NO sense even when trying to break it up.

But, as someone that came into this with a toddler level of knowledge about coding, I think this is worth checking out if you want to teach yourself.

Once I'm finished with this book, it's on to Ren'Py, and an intermediate level of Python instruction. Fingers crossed.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who mostly works in IT and wants a better understanding of code I felt that this book helped me delve into Python in a way any beginner to coding can. The book paces itself with simple activities and at the end of the book builds onto what you've learned throughout.

I give it 4 stars as some of the editing needs to be updated again. I felt I had to go to their website to compare code (in order to find out what spelling or typo happened) and figured after a few editions of this book it would be fixed by then. I also think this book could have been longer and delved deeper but I guess that's what continued learning will take.

[Nicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coding books can be hard reads, but they should make sense. This one doesn’t make a ton of sense. The code examples help, but the authors descriptions and explanations are lacking. This book is for beginners it says, but with the writing I’d not recommend it for any level of learner.

Overall, a poor example of how coding books should be written. Highly disappointing.

[Sarah Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great place to start learning code. I actually learned on Codecademy first but flipping through this and looking at everything it teaches just as well as the online programs I’ve taken. And gives some extra info much needed in chap 13 working with other languages, albeit it may be a little outdated by now. but overall a good way to start wrapping your brain around programming.

[Jakub Věžník · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 This is very good book fo beginners, it looks very nice and tidy, easy to read and comprehend and it feels like beginner could learn python with this book without any previous knowledge(I'm tempted to apply this book to my girlfriend (no coding experience whatsoever) and see if she would be able to get through this book and code a little).
What it lacks is a little bit of more meat, It will give you basics, but that's just it (But hey, book this short, you would be hardpressed to make . And the last chapter (comparisson of python and other languages) felt schematic and honestly a little bit lazy.
If this someday pases the girlfriend I will definitely up the the rating.

[Pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though it took many months to finally finish out of my own lack of focus, this book provided a solid framework and understanding of Python and coding basics. Links were provided to download sample files to test hands-on with almost every page.