Req. comments on "first version" ch 2 progr. intro (using Python 3.x in Windows)

[Alf P. Steinbach]

* Alf P. Steinbach:
> Chapter 2 "Basic Concepts" is about 0.666 completed and 30 pages so far.
> 
> It's now Python 3.x, and reworked with lots of graphical examples and 
> more explanatory text, plus limited in scope to Basic Concepts (which I 
> previously just had as a first ch 2 section  --  but there's rather a 
> lot of concepts!).
> 
> I think it's wise to invite comments even when it's not 100% completed. 
> First, because as opposed to ch 1 there is quite a bit of code here, and 
> since I'm a Python newbie I may be using non-idiomatic constructs, not 
> to mention doing worse things. :-) Second, because comments in general 
> can improve the text.
> 
> 
> Contents:
> 
> 2.1 Super-basic concept: why programming is not DWIM.   1
> 2.2 Reported errors.    4
> 2.2.1   Case-sensitity. 4
> 2.2.2   Syntax / compilation errors.    4
> 2.2.3   Runtime errors / crashes.   5
> 2.3 A programming exploration tool: turtle graphics.    6
> 2.4 Naming things.  8
> 2.4.1   Naming actions: routines.   8
> 2.4.2   Naming data part I: variables.  11
> 2.4.3   Naming data part II: routine arguments. 13
> 2.5 Controlling the flow of execution.  14
> 2.5.1   Repeating actions automatically: loops. 14
> 2.5.2   Basic comparisions & boolean values.    16
> 2.5.3   Interlude I: a function graph program / about types.    17
> 2.5.4   Automated action choices.   21
> 2.5.5   Value-producing (function-like) routines.   23
> 2.5.6   Interlude II: a graph with zeroes marked / about program 
> structure. 26
> 2.5.7   Dynamically nested actions: recursive routines. 28
> 2.6 Objects.     [Not started on this] 31
> 2.7 Collections.    [Not started on this] 31
> 
> 
> In Google Docs (both chapters available here):
> 
>     <url: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ProgrammingBookP3>
>     Formats: PDF

Added discussion and examples of C curve and dragon curve to section 2.5.7 on 
recursive routines.

Enjoy.

:-)

I'm especially interested in comments from novices/newbies.

E.g., is something unclear or hard to understand, or is it all as clear as 
military pea soup?


Cheers,

- Alf