Blip is always plugged into her computer--until one day a blackout forces her outdoors, and she discovers that the real world is a lot more interesting than she realized.

This book introduces readers to the concept of logic, which lies at the heart of coding.

Provides information on the basics of laptop computers, covering such topics as buying a laptop, working with Windows 10 and 11, using email and social networking sites, and keeping information safe online.

Complete your introduction to elementary programming by looking at parameters—the major technique for passing information through functions. Learn when a parameter or variable is "in scope,"how to work with list data that can change when passed as a parameter, and what it means for parameters to have default values.

Now experiment with bottom-up design, an approach that starts with the available elements and builds from there. Utilize a Python module called turtle graphics to model robot motion, relying on the basic turtle commands: forward, backward, and turn left or right by an angle you specify.

One of the biggest thrills from writing code comes from getting a computer to perform a sequence of instructions repeatedly until a task is complete. Discover the ease of writing such loop programs and also the peril of getting stuck in infinite loops. Investigate while loops, for loops, and iterations.

Enter the realm of algorithms, the heart of computer science. See how a well-designed algorithm—a general set of steps that accomplish a task—allows you to work out the logic of a program before you commit it to code. Try this with search and sort exercises.

Learn about an exciting approach to programming called object-oriented design, which bundles functions together with data into a series of objects, whose tools and properties can be defined in a single class. Try your hand at this powerful technique by constructing a bank account program.

One of the key ideas in computer science is abstraction—using simple interfaces to manage complex procedures. See how functions can simplify away the details of complex process, freeing attention to focus on what goes into a function and what comes out. Learn when to use functions and the side effects that sometimes occur.

Programming is an eminently learnable skill that gives you unrivalled problem-solving power you can apply in all areas of life. It’s also a fun, creative activity that provides insight into how we control the devices that influence virtually every aspect of our lives. The 24 engaging and information-rich lessons of How to Program teach you one of the world’s most accessible and powerful computer languages, Python.