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Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist 2nd Edition

4.6 out of 5 stars (621)

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If you want to learn how to program, working with Python is an excellent way to start. This hands-on guide takes you through the language a step at a time, beginning with basic programming concepts before moving on to functions, recursion, data structures, and object-oriented design. This second edition and its supporting code have been updated for Python 3.

Through exercises in each chapter, you’ll try out programming concepts as you learn them. Think Python is ideal for students at the high school or college level, as well as self-learners, home-schooled students, and professionals who need to learn programming basics. Beginners just getting their feet wet will learn how to start with Python in a browser.

  • Start with the basics, including language syntax and semantics
  • Get a clear definition of each programming concept
  • Learn about values, variables, statements, functions, and data structures in a logical progression
  • Discover how to work with files and databases
  • Understand objects, methods, and object-oriented programming
  • Use debugging techniques to fix syntax, runtime, and semantic errors
  • Explore interface design, data structures, and GUI-based programs through case studies

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Allen Downey is a Professor of Computer Science at Olin College of Engineering. He has taught at Wellesley College, Colby College and U.C. Berkeley. He has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from U.C. Berkeley and Master's and Bachelor's degrees from MIT.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ O'Reilly Media
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 26, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 292 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1491939362
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1491939369
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Learning Python
  • Best Sellers Rank: #645,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars (621)

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
621 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book effectively teaches the basics of Python and serves as an excellent introductory guide to programming. Moreover, the content is easy to understand, well-written, and provides clear indications about the language. However, opinions on value for money are mixed.
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25 customers mention python learning, 24 positive, 1 negative
Customers find the book effective at teaching Python basics and appreciate its pedagogical approach, with one customer noting it serves as a lifesaver for their Python class.
Great start to learning Python. This was my first book, and I think I got off to a good start to go into others.Read more
...I like the use of very basic examples.Read more
...It's a really good book. It explains the coding well and uses good examples. Bought book new and received in great condition.Read more
Its hard to rave about a programming book. It is a good reference and is well written, but let's face it, the fastest and best way to learn a...Read more
11 customers mention programming language, 10 positive, 1 negative
Customers find this book to be an excellent introduction to Python programming, appreciating its intuitive approach to explaining programming concepts. One customer notes that it effectively uses Python to test programming language principles, while another mentions it provides good software engineering fundamentals.
...is well written, but let's face it, the fastest and best way to learn a programming language these days is through some short introduction course...Read more
Very effectively teaches the basics of Python and programming methodology. I don't think I've read a better book for coding novices....Read more
Great starter book with a refresher of object oriented-programming C++ I will be ordering the 2nd edition by thr same author.Read more
An excellent introduction to Python with good software engineering fundamentals. Concise, readable, and well-organized....Read more
8 customers mention ease of understanding, 7 positive, 1 negative
Customers find the book easy to understand and readable.
It is very educational. It is simple to read. It has many examples. It gives you many practicing opportunities. I like it.Read more
...Concise, readable, and well-organized. This book earns its reputation.Read more
...It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources available to you as well, which I found really...Read more
Easy to follow, very helpful during my summer course! Would have liked a few more examples for more difficult programming.Read more
6 customers mention writing quality, 6 positive, 0 negative
Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book.
...It is a good reference and is well written, but let's face it, the fastest and best way to learn a programming language these days is through some...Read more
The good: This is a wonderfully written book....Read more
One of the best books I've read on programming so far. It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources...Read more
Well written. Good pedagogics. Focuses on understanding. Good exercises. At times funny.Read more
5 customers mention language, 5 positive, 0 negative
Customers appreciate the language of the book, finding it concise and easy to understand.
...Concise, readable, and well-organized. This book earns its reputation.Read more
...limited description of the capabilities of such a flexible and powerful language. Or does Python really live in its own little world?...Read more
...It will definitely give the reader an indication about the language and its structure....Read more
Awesome introduction to the language!...Read more
6 customers mention value for money, 4 positive, 2 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value for money, with some finding it good priced while others disagree.
...Cards are really nice are good price as well.Read more
...This was a waste of my money, but would not have been if I needed to know older syntax, and only older syntax.Read more
...It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources available to you as well, which I found really...Read more
...st off....waaaaay cheaper than on campus. Second, does the job and fairly simple explanation of how python works.Read more
I think, therefore I am
5 out of 5 stars
I think, therefore I am
The change was subtle at first; flipping each page and reading each line, day after day. It was when I reached the 6th chapter that the evolution moved from metal to a physical realization. I prefer my sun drenched back porch to my cold office, my skin is segmented into hexagonal scales, and my wife loves the new fork in my tongue. Out of five dead mice, I give it a ten and that’s saying something because we are talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for at least a week.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2019
    One of the best books I've read on programming so far. It's well written, easy to understand, very affordable, and there are some extra resources available to you as well, which I found really useful.
    The only caveat I would give is that this may not be the best choice for the math-averse, as many of the exercises involve dealing with math problems. I would not consider myself particularly mathematically inclined and can still get through them with some effort, and enjoy the challenge of learning something new and putting some long-unused brain cells to work, but it may be frustrating if you really hate math. There is always the option to skip exercises you don't like, of course.
    I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in programming, or wanting to learn Python, beginners included. I had a little programming experience coming in, and breezed through the first few chapters, but the exercises quickly build in difficulty so even after a few chapters, I think all but quite experienced programmers will find some that are challenging and help you build proficiency in the language.
    24 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great book. Helped me through two CS classes. The pages are tattered from going through it, but I'm grateful that I bought it.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Very effectively teaches the basics of Python and programming methodology. I don't think I've read a better book for coding novices. If you work through this book fully, including the exercises, you can go from zero to being a decent programmer very quickly.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I used this book as a supplement to a class I was taking in Python. It was good as a supplement, but I do worry that it would not be sufficient for someone who was only using this book or someone who had not had a bit of a background in doing some programming stuff. The exercises are also made for someone who has a decent understanding of math and personally I stopped trying the exercises after the first few chapters because of that, as well as having other problems that had been assigned to me for the course I was taking.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a fine book for someone who wants an introduction to Python programming. I think it is good for someone who is uncertain about what Python is all about. It will definitely give the reader an indication about the language and its structure.

    If you are looking to learn Python in-depth, this is not the book for you. However, if you want a survey of Python - what it can do, how it works (generally) - this is a good book.

    I like the easy-to-understand language used in this book. The author does not make any assumptions about prior programming knowledge.

    The book just scratches the surface of Python. It runs though a large number of topics, touching each with just enough to give the reader an understanding of the bigger picture. However, it doesn't do a deep dive on any topic in particular.

    Overall, as a primer it's a great book. But be prepared to go deeper with other resources if you want to become even a good novice Python programmer.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The change was subtle at first; flipping each page and reading each line, day after day. It was when I reached the 6th chapter that the evolution moved from metal to a physical realization. I prefer my sun drenched back porch to my cold office, my skin is segmented into hexagonal scales, and my wife loves the new fork in my tongue. Out of five dead mice, I give it a ten and that’s saying something because we are talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for at least a week.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    I think, therefore I am

    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
    The change was subtle at first; flipping each page and reading each line, day after day. It was when I reached the 6th chapter that the evolution moved from metal to a physical realization. I prefer my sun drenched back porch to my cold office, my skin is segmented into hexagonal scales, and my wife loves the new fork in my tongue. Out of five dead mice, I give it a ten and that’s saying something because we are talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for at least a week.
    Images in this review
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    13 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I bought this for an online Introduction to Programming class, not knowing how much the language had changed. If you are new to Python - it is an evolving language, so get the latest edition you can. This was a waste of my money, but would not have been if I needed to know older syntax, and only older syntax.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I bought this book for one of my college courses. It's a really good book. It explains the coding well and uses good examples. Bought book new and received in great condition.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Howar Stugard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in Italy on July 31, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Item was as advertised.
  • apnkpp
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good book.
    Reviewed in Mexico on November 29, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book cover all basics of the python programming language as it attempts to develop good programming practices and skills. It is a good book to be used as reference but if you have some experience with the language and want to take your skills to a different level then you need another book.
  • Ivan
    5.0 out of 5 stars A really good book, explain a lot of stuff
    Reviewed in Canada on April 3, 2017
    A really good book, explain a lot of stuff, it is well written, plain language, clear style and very practical pace. A decent combination of introductory book to python and something more thoughtful, more theoretical about coding in general.
  • rachelbee14
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book you didn't think you needed
    Reviewed in Germany on January 24, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    For anyone not coming from a programming background this book is a lifesaver. The author explains concepts clearly and it is truly a joy to read
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Taufik Hidayat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
    Reviewed in Singapore on November 20, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Awesome..
    Customer image
    Taufik Hidayat
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Perfect

    Reviewed in Singapore on November 20, 2020
    Awesome..
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