Python Challenges

Augment your knowledge of Python with this entertaining learning guide, which features 100 exercises and programming puzzles and solutions. Python Challenges will help prepare you for your next exam or a job interview, and covers numerous practical topics such as strings, data structures, recursion, arrays, and more. Each topic is addressed in its own separate chapter, starting with an introduction to the basics and followed by 10 to 15 exercises of various degrees of difficulty, helping you to improve your programming skills effectively. Detailed sample solutions, including the algorithms used for all tasks, are included to maximize your understanding of each area. Author Michael Inden also describes alternative solutions and analyzes possible pitfalls and typical errors. Three appendices round out the book: the first covers the Python command line interpreter, which is often helpful for trying out the code snippets and examples in the book, followed by an overview of Pytest for unit testing and checking the solutions. The last explains the O notation for estimating performance. After reading this book, you'll be prepared to take the next step in your career or tackle your next personal project. All source code is freely available for download via the Apress website. What You Will Learn Improve your Python knowledge by solving enjoyable but challenging programming puzzles Solve mathematical problems, recursions, strings, arrays and more Manage data processing and data structures like lists, sets, maps Handle advanced recursion as well as binary trees, sorting and searching Gamify key fundamentals for fun and easier reinforcement Who this book is for: Programmers, software developers who are either professionals or makers, as well as students and teachers. At least some prior experience with the Python programming is recommended.

Learn to program fast in 155 challenges, 54 examples and 85 pages This book is a 'gamified' approach to Python, aimed at supporting GCSE and KS3 students, with complete coverage of the GCSE programming requirements. There's no substitute for practice when it comes to learning a new skill! Python syntax is simple to learn, but becoming an expert in writing programs to solve different kinds of problems takes a bit longer. That's why this book has a short explanation of each new statement or technique, followed by one or more examples and then loads of practice challenges. Some of the challenges will take you only a minute or two, using the Python Interactive window to try out new statements and get immediate results. As you get further into the book, you will be challenged to write programs to perform different kinds of tasks - for example to find the results of a calculation, write a program for a simplified cash machine, sort a list of items into alphabetical order, or to record data in a text file to be read, formatted, and printed. The programming solutions to some challenges have been helpfully simplified for an inexperienced programmer to modify rather than to write from scratch. This builds your confidence in problem-solving. That's why 35 challenges consist of partially written programs for you to complete.

A refreshingly different and engaging way of learning how to program using Python. This book includes example code and brief user-friendly explanations, along with 150 progressively trickier challenges. As readers are actively involved in their learning, they quickly master the new skills and gain confidence in creating their own programs.

This selection of 101 Python programming challenges is targeted at both learners and educators who want to find a challenging and enthusing approach to develop their programming skills using Python. In this book you will find a fully working solution to each of the 101 challenges in the form of annotated Python code listings. We believe that being able to work on these challenges and reverse-engineer the given code will give you a fantastic opportunity to improve your Python skills while discovering new programing techniques. This selection of challenges from the 101computing.net blog will cover all of the essential skills used in procedural programming, focusing on the key programming constructs: sequencing, selection and iteration. The 101 challenges are organised into ten chapters to help you discover and practise using a range of programming strategies using a step by step approach.

"Whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional, there's an Aha! moment in this book for everyone." - James Watson, Adaptive ”Highly recommended to everyone interested in deepening their understanding of Python and practical computer science.” —Daniel Kenney-Jung, MD, University of Minnesota Key Features • Master formal techniques taught in college computer science classes • Connect computer science theory to real-world applications, data, and performance • Prepare for programmer interviews • Recognize the core ideas behind most “new” challenges • Covers Python 3.7 Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. About The Book Programming problems that seem new or unique are usually rooted in well-known engineering principles. Classic Computer Science Problems in Python guides you through time-tested scenarios, exercises, and algorithms that will prepare you for the “new” problems you’ll face when you start your next project. In this amazing book, you'll tackle dozens of coding challenges, ranging from simple tasks like binary search algorithms to clustering data using k-means. As you work through examples for web development, machine learning, and more, you'll remember important things you've forgotten and discover classic solutions that will save you hours of time. What You Will Learn • Search algorithms • Common techniques for graphs • Neural networks • Genetic algorithms • Adversarial search • Uses type hints throughout This Book Is Written For For intermediate Python programmers. About The Author David Kopec is an assistant professor of Computer Science and Innovation at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. He is the author of Dart for Absolute Beginners (Apress, 2014), Classic Computer Science Problems in Swift (Manning, 2018), and Classic Computer Science Problems in Java (Manning, 2020) Table of Contents 1. Small problems 2. Search problems 3. Constraint-satisfaction problems 4. Graph problems 5. Genetic algorithms 6. K-means clustering 7. Fairly simple neural networks 8. Adversarial search 9. Miscellaneous problems

This book aims to strengthen programming skills and foster creative thinking by presenting and solving 90 challenging problems. The book is intended for individuals with elementary, intermediate, and advanced Python programming skills who aspire to take their abilities to the next level. Additionally, the book is valuable for individuals interested in enhancing their creative thinking and logical reasoning skills. It is a self-instructional book meant to provide readers with the ability to solve challenging problems independently. The presented challenges are lucidly and succinctly expressed, facilitating readers to follow along and comprehend the problem-solving process. The challenges cover various fields, making it suitable for a wide range of individuals. The book is divided into eight chapters, beginning with an introduction in chapter one. The second chapter presents essential Python basics for programming challenging problems, while the subsequent chapters focus on specific types of challenges. These include math-based challenges in chapter three, number-based challenges in chapter four, string-based challenges in chapter five, game-based challenges in chapter six, count-based challenges in chapter seven, and miscellaneous challenges in chapter eight. Each chapter comprises a set of challenges with examples, hints, algorithms, and Python code solutions. The target audience of the book includes computer science and engineering students, teachers, software developers, and participants in programming competitions.

Learn to Code by Solving Problems is a practical introduction to programming using Python. It uses coding-competition challenges to teach you the mechanics of coding and how to think like a savvy programmer. Computers are capable of solving almost any problem when given the right instructions. That’s where programming comes in. This beginner’s book will have you writing Python programs right away. You’ll solve interesting problems drawn from real coding competitions and build your programming skills as you go. Every chapter presents problems from coding challenge websites, where online judges test your solutions and provide targeted feedback. As you practice using core Python features, functions, and techniques, you’ll develop a clear understanding of data structures, algorithms, and other programming basics. Bonus exercises invite you to explore new concepts on your own, and multiple-choice questions encourage you to think about how each piece of code works. You’ll learn how to: Run Python code, work with strings, and use variables Write programs that make decisions Make code more efficient with while and for loops Use Python sets, lists, and dictionaries to organize, sort, and search data Design programs using functions and top-down design Create complete-search algorithms and use Big O notation to design more efficient code By the end of the book, you’ll not only be proficient in Python, but you’ll also understand how to think through problems and tackle them with code. Programming languages come and go, but this book gives you the lasting foundation you need to start thinking like a programmer.

The only way to master a skill is to practice. In Python Workout, author Reuven M. Lerner guides you through 50 carefully selected exercises that invite you to flex your programming muscles. As you take on each new challenge, you’ll build programming skill and confidence. Summary The only way to master a skill is to practice. In Python Workout, author Reuven M. Lerner guides you through 50 carefully selected exercises that invite you to flex your programming muscles. As you take on each new challenge, you’ll build programming skill and confidence. The thorough explanations help you lock in what you’ve learned and apply it to your own projects. Along the way, Python Workout provides over four hours of video instruction walking you through the solutions to each exercise and dozens of additional exercises for you to try on your own. Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. About the technology To become a champion Python programmer you need to work out, building mental muscle with your hands on the keyboard. Each carefully selected exercise in this unique book adds to your Python prowess—one important skill at a time. About the book Python Workout presents 50 exercises that focus on key Python 3 features. In it, expert Python coach Reuven Lerner guides you through a series of small projects, practicing the skills you need to tackle everyday tasks. You’ll appreciate the clear explanations of each technique, and you can watch Reuven solve each exercise in the accompanying videos. What's inside 50 hands-on exercises and solutions Coverage of all Python data types Dozens more bonus exercises for extra practice About the reader For readers with basic Python knowledge. About the author Reuven M. Lerner teaches Python and data science to companies around the world. Table of Contents 1 Numeric types 2 Strings 3 Lists and tuples 4 Dictionaries and sets 5 Files 6 Functions 7 Functional programming with comprehensions 8 Modules and packages 9 Objects 10 Iterators and generators