KS3 Computing: Python Programming Guide with Online Edition, Python Files & Videos: for Years 7, 8 and 9 (CGP KS3 Computing)

Even if you think that AI is going to write all your computer code in future, coding is still an essential skill that will give you a headstart in a lot of situations. I work with Python as part of my job and I was trying to convince my kids to try it out, with mixed results, before they reached the point where it’s part of their curriculum. I’m not the greatest of teachers though, so this book is a very useful way to provide structure.It’s very densely packed, with several steps on each page. While the layout is more like that of a revision book, for kids who’ve been learning it at school to refer back to or refresh their memories with, it can also be used as a beginners’ book for a child that hasn’t reached this point in their IT classes yet, or even to some extent for adults- provided you’re not expecting multiple repeated examples, or deep explanations of why certain things are the way they are.The page layout is a little bit chaotic, with quite a lot of different pastel colours for highlighting and sections, a variety of different fonts and some seemingly inconsistent style choices. But for a young audience, I think this will add to the appeal- it looks bright and fun, and there are no plain-looking pages or big lumps of unhighlighted or unannotated code that might seem offputting. And the occasional cartoon doesn’t hurt. Some of the scenarios, which are only used as loose frameworks for what the code needs to do, are a little bit tongue-in-cheek- like the fruit stall called ‘BuyYourFruitsElsewhere’ who don’t sell fruit for less than ten pounds each- though some do seem a little childish even for KS3 age groups. There’s even a Flying Spaghetti Monster in there for good measure.It’s nicely organised and feels curriculum-led, with a methodical progress from simple print commands at the beginning to turtle polygons and recursion towards the end. There are coding challenges at the end of each section, and these get progressively harder too. Some of them even come with QR codes to video solutions, which is a nice touch and feels like a good move for the smartphone generation who’re more likely to get their lessons from the infamous online Tube than from books.I’ve not spotted anything in the book that would raise any issues with regards to Python 2 / 3 or any other compatibility problems. At the level it’s set at, it seems universal.At about 80 pages (not including the answers) it’s not the thickest of books, but it’s a densely-packed all-in-one book that’s good either for revision or beginners.

I've been learning Python for a while., I keep starting and stopping. My aim is to get the PCEP certification.I've used the PCEB syllabus and then found online learning resources to learn what's in the syllabus and it's worked well. This book however has been a really good way to "brush up" away from a screen (which might seem odd when talking about computer programming).But I have kept this in my car and when I am waiting int he car when doing the school run I've found it really helpful to work through this book and absorb stuff I've already covered, but in a different format. The book is well put together and because it's aimed at a younger audience it's not overly advanced.It's very accessible, and that's the main advantage of this. I feel that you could pick this up as a complete novice and start to understand the fundamentals of Python. If you combine this with online videos so you are getting the information presented in an alternate way also, then you should become proficient in basic coding and be able to read Python code with ease. Strongly recommended.

These books are classic, they are what I used in school and you can literally never go wrong! I got this one for my sister who does computer science, just as a fun little refresher and she loves it! Says the content is great and it’s written in an easy to understand way!

This Python tutorial from CGP (Coordination Group Publications) books is designed for Key Stage Three students and starts from the very beginning, explaining what Python is and gradually progressing to simple graphics programming using the Turtle Graphics concept, where you "imagine a turtle crawling along the page, holding a crayon."The pros of this 96-page, large-format book include its use of simple language, colorful pages, and cheerful graphics. It also offers a generous selection of downloadable extras, including code for the examples, additional videos, and a downloadable version of the book. Although the pages may appear busy, they manage to convey a lot of information effectively.The book covers a wide range of Python programming essentials, making it suitable for students looking to get a grasp of the language. However, as an experienced programmer, I'd like to point out that the book doesn't focus much on teaching good programming practices, such as writing code that is robust and maintainable. While a skilled teacher can supplement this, I would have preferred to see the book allocate more space to these aspects. However, it's important to note that a book like this is often constrained by curriculum requirements, so the authors may have had limited flexibility in this regard. If a reader thoroughly absorbs all the information in the book, they should be well-prepared for further Python programming.I would like to have seen more stretch and challenge.