computer programming for dummies

Untitled Part 1

Appendix: About the CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .387 System Requirements .................................................................................387 Using the CD with Microsoft Windows .....................................................388 Using the CD with Mac OS ..........................................................................389 Using the CD with Linux ............................................................................389 What You'll Find ..........................................................................................390 Software ..............................................................................................390 If You've Got Problems (Of the CD Kind) .................................................392

Bonus Chapter: Programming in Python . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CD-1 Understanding Python .............................................................................CD-1 Playing with data ..............................................................................CD-3 Data structures .................................................................................CD-5 Comments ........................................................................................CD-7 Using Control Structures...........................................................................CD-8 Using Control Structures...........................................................................CD-9 The while statement ......................................................................CD-10 The for statement...........................................................................CD-10 Writing Subprograms in Python.............................................................CD-11 Index ......................................................................395 End-User License Agreement .....................................413

xvii Table of Contents

Beginning Programming For Dummies, 3rd Edition xviii

Introduction

First of all, anyone can learn to program a computer. Computer program- ming doesn't require a high IQ and an innate proficiency in advanced mathematics. Computer programming just requires a desire to learn and the patience never to give up.

Programming is a skill like swimming, dancing, and juggling. Some people are naturally better than others, but anyone can get better with constant prac- tice. That's why so many kids become programming wizards at such an early age. The kids aren't necessarily brilliant; they're just willing to put in the time to learn a new skill, and they're not afraid of failing.

If you ever dreamed about writing your own programs, rest assured that you can. Programming can be lots of fun, but it can also be frustrating, annoying, and time-consuming. That's why Wiley publishes this particular book — to help you discover how to program a computer with the minimum amount of inconvenience and the maximum amount of enjoyment.

Whether you want to pick up computer programming for fun, to start a new career, or to help make your current job easier, consider this book your per- sonal guide through the sometimes scary — and initially intimidating — world of computer programming.

After you finish this book, you can choose the best programming language to accomplish a particular task, understand the tools that programmers use, and even write your own programs for personal use or for sale to others.

And after you read Beginning Programming For Dummies, 3rd Edition, you can find more detailed information about specific languages by reading Visual BASIC.NET For Windows For Dummies, by Wallace Wang; C For Dummies, by Dan Gookin; Visual C++ .NET For Dummies, by Michael Hyman and Bob Arnson; C++ For Dummies and C# For Dummies, by Stephen R. Davis; Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, by Barry Burd; Windows Game Programming For Dummies, by Andre LaMothe; or Perl For Dummies, by Paul Hoffman (all published by Wiley Publishing).