Programming for Computations - Python: A Gentle Introduction to Numerical Simulations with Python

Abstract

This text teaches computer programming as a method for solving mathematical problems. There are two versions of this book, one for the MATLAB and one for Python. While it was inspired by the Springer text TCSE6: A Primer on Scientific Programming with Python (by Langtangen), its exposition is more accessible, simpler, and much shorter and aimed at engineering students. The authors have outlined the shortest possible path from zero knowledge about programming to a set of skills that will allow the students in engineering and science courses to write simple programs for solving common mathematical problems by numerical methods. This text places great emphasis on generic algorithms, clean program designs, function use, and automatic tests for verification.