About the Book

· New sections on the Python Turtle Graphics library have been added to Chapters 2 through 5. The Turtle Graphics library, which is a standard part of Python, is a fun and motivating way to introduce programming concepts to students who have never written code before. The library allows the student to write Python statements that draw graphics by moving a cursor on a canvas. The new sections that have been added to this edition are:

o Chapter 2: Introduction to Turtle Graphics

o Chapter 3: Determining the State of the Turtle

o Chapter 4: Using Loops to Draw Designs

o Chapter 5: Modularizing Turtle Graphics Code with Functions

· The new Turtle Graphics sections are designed with flexibility in mind. They can be assigned as optional material, incorporated into your existing syllabus, or skipped altogether.

· Chapter 2 has a new section on named constants. Although Python does not support true constants, you can create variable names that symbolize values that should not change as the program executes. This section teaches the student to avoid the use of “magic numbers,” and to create symbolic names that make his or her code more self-documenting and easier to maintain.

· Chapter 7 has a new section on using the matplotlib package to plot charts and graphs from lists. The new section describes how to install the matplotlib package, and use it to plot line graphs, bar charts, and pie charts.

· Chapter 13 has a new section on creating graphics in a GUI application with the Canvas widget. The new section describes how to use the Canvas widget to draw lines, rectangles, ovals, arcs, polygons, and text.

· Several new, more challenging, programming problems have been added throughout the book.

· Appendix E is a new appendix that discusses the various forms of the import statement.

· Appendix F is a new appendix that discusses installing third-party modules with the pip utility.

MyLab^™ Programming not included. Students, if MyLab is a recommended/mandatory component of the course, please ask your instructor for the correct ISBN and course ID. MyLab should only be purchased when required by an instructor. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

· UPDATED! User Interface provides a new streamlined interface based on experienced user feedback. Course creation, configuration, and navigation are now easier than ever.

· EXPANDED! Exercise Editor now allows you to easily create new programming exercises. In addition to assigning the hundreds of programming exercises already available in MyLab Programming, you can create and assign programming exercises to customize your course.

· UPDATED! VideoNotes Tutorials provide step-by-step video tutorials specifically designed to enhance the programming concepts presented in Starting Out with Python. Students can view the entire problem-solving process outside of the classroom―when they need help the most.

· The Plagiarism Detection Tool alerts instructors of potential plagiarism issues by checking:

o Students’ average submission rate

o Students’ average number of attempts until correct