Computer Science Principles: The Foundational Concepts of Computer Science - For AP® Computer Science Principles

by Kevin Hare, Pindar Van Arman (Foreword)

***NEW for 2020 with updated curriculum and College Board updates. Over 30% new content including more on Boolean logic and gates, databases, compression, info security, the impacts of computing, and more! *** Computer science is the world's fastest growing field of study, and this growth is showing no signs of slowing down. As a new field, computer science can seem intimidating, but it should not be scary to learn or difficult to understand. If you have ever turned on a phone or surfed the Internet then you have used a computer and should have a basic understanding of what happens when you click the mouse or touch the screen—and how fast it happens! Computer Science Principles introduces the creative side of computing. Once you've made your way through this book, you'll be editing photos, designing websites, coding JavaScript, and getting organized with spreadsheets—and along the way you'll learn the foundational concepts of computer science. How do computers convert information into ones and zeros and send it thousands of miles in a blink of the eye? What is an IP address? What do TCP/IP, DNS, HTML, and CSS stand for? How can a hard drive store large movies and thousands of songs? How can secrets be sent in plain sight? These questions—and more—are answered in Computer Science Principles. Units 1 - Hardware, Software, Number Systems, and Boolean Expressions 2 – Pixels, Images, and Adobe Photoshop 3 - Compressing Data 4 – Storing Spreadsheets and Databases 5 - Protecting Heuristics, Security, and Encryption 6 - The Internet 7 – Web HTML and CSS 8 - JavaScript 9 – Impact of Computing

Genres: Computers, Programming, Computer Science, Nonfiction, Technology

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2020

About the author

Kevin Hare teaches computer science and has more than 20 years experience teaching at the high school level and has offered such courses as AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, Web Design, Mobile App Development, Video Design, and TV Broadcasting. He spent the bulk of his career at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC. In his free time, he co-founded the technology company BoxJump. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science, a master's degree in secondary education, and a master's degree in computer science from Georgia Tech.

Reviews

[Kevin Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I wrote this :)

[Tebogo Mokgabudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Finally, a book that succinctly explains the fundamentals of JavaScript. The simple language used to convey the essence of programming. What a joy to read for any beginner.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for the “old-timers” too.

I was looking for a book to help me use my kindle and accidentally downloaded this book. How wonderful I did! I didn’t get any tips about the kindle, but I learned about everything else: computers, the internet, password importance, and data. I recommend this to all the old-timers, like myself.

[Jio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and brief overview!

This is book is great if you are considering a bachelors in comouter science or need a refresher. dont let this be your last stop. The author covers important concepts at a high level hence the title of the book. Good read.

[Todd Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly a score and two years ago, I graduated in computer engineering and have worked in support and management of this topic since. My perspective is both biased and jaded, given my background. Despite this, "Computer Science Principles" proved to be a fun read, akin to a Class 101 course for modern computing concepts.

What I found enjoyable was how the book levels up the exploration of computer science, now with more focus on software and less in hardware. Unlike my college days, where calculus was a mandatory hurdle I had to retake, this book eschews such complexities. Instead, it remains accessible and high-level, steering clear of arbitrary intricacies that often bog down introductory texts.

The author’s approach is straightforward and engaging, making it a fast read. The book adeptly covers the contours of computer science concepts, offering a broad understanding without overwhelming with details. It’s a testament to how the field has changed, making foundational knowledge more approachable and relevant. Technology is now in all of our lives.

"Computer Science Principles" serves as an introduction to the field, particularly for those looking to grasp the essentials without diving into overly technical pools of expertise. It’s an enjoyable and enlightening read that bridges the gap between past and present understandings of computer science.

[Pawel Owczarek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weak

The book is made of fluff and isn't very useful. It's very chaotic, in fact. There are some parts of it which are useful, so I give it three stars. It lacks the clear idea about its readers and it's very chaotic and poorly edited.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave my 7-year-old son to read this book, hoping that he will be interested in computer science. He finished the book in 2 days and started learning Java. Very clear and informative format. 10/10 recommend!

[Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome read!

I’ve been trying to understand computers for 10 plus years. This finally did it! This book is a basic explanation any one can and should get!

[Monetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great supplement for the APCS P course or for genera CS knowledge. Suitable for all ages.

[Anish Ranjan]

Amazing