Python Challenges

Augment your knowledge of Python with this entertaining learning guide, which features 100 exercises and programming puzzles and solutions. Python Challenges will help prepare you for your next exam or a job interview, and covers numerous practical topics such as strings, data structures, recursion, arrays, and more.

Each topic is addressed in its own separate chapter, starting with an introduction to the basics and followed by 10 to 15 exercises of various degrees of difficulty, helping you to improve your programming skills effectively. Detailed sample solutions, including the algorithms used for all tasks, are included to maximize your understanding of each area. AuthorMichael Inden also describes alternative solutions and analyzes possible pitfalls and typical errors.

Three appendices round out the book: the first covers the Python command line interpreter, which is often helpful for trying out the code snippets and examples in the book, followed by an overview of Pytest for unit testing and checking the solutions. The last explains the O notation for estimating performance.

After reading this book, you'll be prepared to take the next step in your career or tackle your next personal project. All source code is freely available for download via the Apress website.

What You Will Learn

Improve your Python knowledge by solving enjoyable but challenging programming puzzles
• Solve mathematical problems, recursions, strings, arrays and more
• Manage data processing and data structures like lists, sets, maps
• Handle advanced recursion as well as binary trees, sorting and searching
• Gamify key fundamentals for fun and easier reinforcement

Who this book is for:

Programmers, software developers who are either professionals or makers, as well as students and teachers. At least some prior experience with the Python programming is recommended.

Michael Inden is an Oracle-certified Java developer with over 20 years of professional experience designing complex software systems for international companies. There, he has worked in various roles such as SW developer, SW architect, consultant, team leader, CTO, head of academy, and trainer. Currently, he is working as a freelancer. His special interests are creating high-quality applications with ergonomic GUIs, developing and solving programming puzzles, and coaching. He likes to pass on his knowledge and has led various courses and talks, both internally and externally, as well as at conferences such as JAX/W-JAX, JAX London, and Oracle Code One. Besides, he is also an author of technical books. His german books, among others "Der Weg zum Java-Profi", Java Challenge", "Python Challenge" are all published by dpunkt.verlag.

1. Introduction.- Part I - Fundamentals.- 2. Mathematical Problems.- 3. Recursion.- 4. Strings.- 5. Basic Data Structures: Lists, Sets, and Dictionaries.- 6. Arrays.- Part II - More Advanced and Tricky Topics.- 7. Recursion Advanced.- 8. Binary Trees.- 9. Searching and Sorting.- 10. Conclusion and Supplementary Material.- Part III - Appendices.- Appendix A. Short Introduction to Pytest.- Appendix B. Short Introduction to Decorators.- Appendix C. Quick Start O-Notation.- Appendix D. Short Introduction to Python 3.10.- Bibliography.