Simple Program Design, a Step-By-Step Approach, Fifth Edition

Granted I am not an accomplished programmer, however, I am educated and have over 15 years of experience in the field of Graphic Design. While I agree that if you are already familiar with the process of programming, this book will probably not help you much. On the other hand, if you, like me, are trying to understand the fundamentals of programming JavaScript, ColdFusion, ASP, C++, ActionScript, or any other programming language requiring an understanding of conditional programming, loops, arrays, object-oriented programming, or other non-program, non-language specific coding practices, then this book may very well help. I spent 13 years designing graphics for printing purposes. Then, I made a quick and awkward switch to web development when our programmer left (small company). I quickly learned HTML and spent two rough years learning CSS while trying to get a handle on ColdFusion and JavaScript. I made slow progress when I really had the time to follow tutorials and work things out, but it was by no means easy, and I wasn't feeling that I was learning anything. Then, thankfully, I found this book at a library sale and all of a sudden programming is starting to make sense. The author does an excellent job of explaining what seemed to be relatively complex things since I do not have a programming background. In addition to providing an excellent framework for learning, there are lots of really good examples and sample real-world problems to work through. The great thing about this book is that it teaches programming, not of a specific language, but the ideas of programming. And it does it very well. I strongly recommend this book. For example, I have a student who visits our office twice a week who is interested in becoming a computer game developer. Before he can create games, he has to learn the basics of programming. I've recently loaned him the book and am delighted to know that it is helping him in a way that very few programming books can as most of them already assume that you know the "language" before you learn a language. Five Stars for the brand new. Maybe not so many if you've been around for awhile. Still...excellent read and quality writing.

The problem with most books that purport to teach how to program, is that they really only teach the syntax of the programming language their book is about.If you have never programmed before, you must FIRST learn how to think like a programmer before delving into the intricacies of a particular programming language. This is where this book excels. This books starts you out on the right footing and gently leads you to develop the proper frame of mind and method to become a programmer. Once you master how to think like a programmer, then you are ready to learn ANY procedural programming language.If you rush into programming, you could develop bad habits that are almost impossible to break. A little patience now, and the road ahead will be much easier.

This was a requirement to read in my CS1 class before we ever stepped foot into a C++ book. Now several classes later I can understand the importance of the good algorithm design that this book enforces. This book required no experience in programming what so ever. Those with experience may find it a little boring to read but may also find themselves referring back for examples.

I used this book in an introductory programming class shortly after it was published. It provided the most "bang for the buck." It covers the basics of programming in a thorough manner, providing coverage of basic control sturctures and arrays. I highly recommend this book. Its value lies in the fact that it can be adapted to any programming language, since the topics covered are germain and found in all programming languages. It is an excellent introduction to programming and computer languages. Master the topics covered here, and you will have a handle to program in any computer programming language.

Ms Robertson's book is an excellent first text in program design problem solving. It offers easily understood techniques, in an almost cookbook fashion, to employ in analyzing and designing a program. Taking you from the basic steps to designing a simple program to modular construction in larger programs, the text guides the student step by step to success. On the negative side, while there is mention of object oriented programming in the text, very little is developed in this area. I would truly like to see a modest improvement of the text in this area. A step by step approach to object development and interaction in program design is sorely needed. In addition, while pseudocode is thoroughly explored as a valuable tool in program design, and N-S diagrams are addressed in a supplemental section, little is addressed vis-a-vis flow charts. All-in-all, however, this book's value far exceeds its modest price.