Computer Science from Scratch: Building Interpreters, Art, Emulators and ML in Python -- David Kopec, Paperback
You know how to write Python. Now master the computer science that makes it work. If you've been programming for a while, you may have found yourself wondering about the deeper principles behind the code. How are programming languages implemented? What does an interpreter really do? How does the microprocessor execute instructions at a fundamental level? How does a machine learning algorithm make decisions? Computer Science from Scratch is for experienced Python programmers who want to fill in those gaps--not through abstract lectures, but through carefully designed projects that bring core CS concepts to life. Understanding these fundamental building blocks will make you a more versatile and effective programmer. Each chapter presents a focused, hands-on project that teaches a fundamental idea in computer science:
- INTERPRETERS: Understand syntax, parsing, and evaluation by writing a BASIC interpreter
- EMULATORS: Learn computer architecture by building an NES emulator from the ground up
- GRAPHICS: Explore image manipulation and algorithmic art through computer graphics projects
- MACHINE LEARNING: Demystify classification by implementing a simple, readable KNN model
Author: David Kopec
Publisher: No Starch Press
Published: 9/30/2025
Pages: 280
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.2 lbs
Size: 9.4" H x 6.9" L x 0.7" W
ISBN: 9781718504301
