Animated Problem Solving: An Introduction to Program Design Using Video Game Development

This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to systematic problem solving and reasoning using type-driven design. It emphasizes two problem-solving techniques: divide and conquer and iterative refinement, and teaches readers how to design and implement a multiplayer video game. By the end of the book, readers will have learned about programming and applied new knowledge to develop increasingly better versions of the video game.

Format: Hardback
Length: 688 pages
Publication date: 14 January 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive textbook delves into the realm of systematic problem solving and reasoning, employing a type-driven design approach. It emphasizes two fundamental problem-solving techniques: divide and conquer and iterative refinement. Divide and conquer involves breaking down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems, which are then solved individually. These solutions are subsequently combined to form the solution to the original problem. Iterative refinement, on the other hand, entails gradually improving a solution to a problem through multiple iterations, akin to the refinement process in writing an essay.

Mastering these techniques is crucial for developing excellent problem-solving skills and proficiency in programming. The book is organized into five parts, each serving a specific purpose. Part I provides a solid foundation, covering the fundamentals of writing expressions, decision-making, and functions, which form the basis for problem-solving. Part II introduces the concept of compound data of finite size, encompassing arrays, lists, intervals, natural numbers, and binary trees. It also introduces structural recursion, a powerful data-processing strategy that employs divide and conquer to handle data of varying sizes.

Part IV delves into abstraction, emphasizing the elimination of repetitions in problem solutions. It introduces generic programming, which abstracts away from the specific type of data being processed, leading to the realization that functions are data and, conversely, that data can be viewed as functions. This fundamental insight ultimately paved the way for object-oriented programming.

Part V introduces distributed programming, enabling the use of multiple computers to solve complex problems. By the end of this book, readers will have designed and implemented a multiplayer video game that they can enjoy with their friends, showcasing their mastery of systematic problem-solving and programming concepts.

Weight: 1212g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 49 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030850906
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022