Introduction to Python Programming and Data Structures focuses on the fundamentals first to help learners learn problem solving and programming in a broad context. It introduces basic programming concepts and techniques on selections, loops, and functions, before writing custom classes. Step-by-step coverage demonstrates the use of Python to solve problems. Exercises and problems with varying levels of difficulty cover interesting application areas. The best way to learn programming is by practicing, and this introduction offers many opportunities to practice creating efficient, elegant code.

The 3rd Edition has new data structures topics and UpToDate content, examples and exercises that keep pace with recent trends.