The aim of this book is to teach you coding in Python while developing computational thinking—that is, the way we think when coding. The order of topics is designed to stimulate and strengthen skills such as logic, problem solving, and clean code writing. Python syntax is explained extensively in a simple but precise way, focusing on concepts and vocabulary.

Topics include data types (strings, lists, dictionaries, etc.), if/else constructs, for loops, while loops, functions, modules, and object‐oriented programming. Examples are embedded in narrative to provide context and encourage memorization, and they are enriched with suggestions for code pronunciation. The book includes thirty‐eight chapters, each corresponding to a Jupyter Notebook where you can play with the code explained in the text.

Chapters contain both theoretical exercises, to verify the understanding of concepts, and coding exercises, to learn by doing. Exercise solutions are described in the community forum, where you can ask questions and propose alternative solutions. At the end of each chapter, you will find recaps and “in more depth” sections, with suggestions, tips, and curiosities.

The book is written in a simple and colloquial language while being precise and detailed.
The material of this book was tested and refined over more than a thousand hours of one‐on‐one teaching, with international students of various educational backgrounds.