Most programming textbooks just are not what I am looking for. They are too long. They are too dull. And they are written for teachers to use not for students to reference. Last winter I decided to write some thing for my students to use. Actually, two books for my students to use. II took some short suggesting papers I had written, used my PowerPoint lecture presentations for some details, and basically wrote what I teach.
I teach some Visual Basic programming to freshmen and C# with my Honors Programming classes. That’s why two books.
These are not typical textbooks. They are short, to the point, and, I hope, will not put students to sleep. There are few exercises and no end of chapter questions to assign. They are intended more for students to use as a reference. Students tend not to take good notes so these may fill that need for some. They also want to learn things that are not generally looked on as serious computer science but which make for more interesting programming projects. So there is a section on how to do fun things with timers, images, and other language/library features that I get asked about regularly.
They’re probably not for everyone but the drafts worked well with my students last year. Take a look and if you like what you see buy one (or a classroom set). They’re priced low at $9.95. If they suck, send me an email. I’ll try to do better in a second edition.
Thus ends my commercial
I have contributed to you retirement fund.
ReplyDeleteThanks Garth. At least one sold.
ReplyDeleteTwo. One of each. Your retirement is set.
ReplyDeleteI bought the C# one, so I do think your retirement is now set. You have to promise to buy a copy of mine when it comes out though.
ReplyDeleteCount on me to buy a copy Bob.
ReplyDeleteIf I send these to you will autograph them for me? The wife and I are thinking of coming to the north east next summer for vacation (neither of us have been up there) so maybe I will just bring them by. I see you learned how to draw nice ovals on graphics in the C# book. The free hand ovals in the VB book are a bit rough.
ReplyDeleteIf you send them I will sign them. I'd rather get a chance to meet you in person of course. So let me know if you do decide to come east.
ReplyDeleteAs for the figures, I know I have to work on them. In my copious free time. :-(
If we manage to get out of here next summer we are looking at Vermont, NH, Maine and maybe Boston. I am not much on cities but I suppose I should have a bowl of clam chowder in Boston. And maybe see a little history. The drawing technique in the C# book looks good. I have a geek sophomore I have to dream up a programming course for this semester. I will give these to him
ReplyDelete