The Computer Always Wins - A Playful Introduction to Algorithms through Puzzles and Strategy

An engaging and approachable resource for beginning-to-intermediate coders eager to learn advanced ideas in computer programming.


Too often, the magic of computer science is locked behind an intimidating wall of syntax and mathematics. Students of all ages are drawn to the idea of using computers to ask questions and solve problems, but the standard computer science curriculum demands that they first slog through a seemingly endless run of dull, technical muck. They want to tinker; they are told to trudge. In

Rock-paper-scissors becomes an intuitive gateway to machine learning. By the end of the book, readers come away with not only a better understanding of these foundational strategies, but also a joyful appreciation for the amazing and exciting feats that can be accomplished using simple, readable code.

List of contents

Preface: Why This Book?
How to Use This Book
Introduction: Why Algorithms?
Chapter Summaries
Games that Involve Searching and Sorting
1. Guess Wrong Answers
2. The Road Not Taken
3. One Step at a Time
Turn-Based Strategy Games
4. Whose Turn Is It Anyway?
5. Move Faster
6. Pruning the Tree
Using Random Simulation
7. Throwing Darts
8. Aiming Darts
9. Aiming Darts at Others
Tracking and Training
10. Rock, Paper…Paper
11. Black Boxes
12. Minimizing Regret
Afterward: More Than a Game
Appendix: Python Review
References
About the Author
Index

About the author

Elliot Lichtman started teaching online classes in computer science when he was a freshman in high school. Small classes quickly grew into a series of larger and longer offerings, and from those, this book was born. Elliot is currently a sophomore at Yale University.

Product details

• Authors: Elliot Lichtman, Elliot Joseph Lichtman
• Publisher: The MIT Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 29.04.2025
• EAN: 9780262551694
• ISBN: 978-0-262-55169-4
• No. of pages: 200
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 13 mm
• Subjects: Children's and young people's books > Non-fiction books / Non-fiction picture books > Natural science, technology; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > IT, data processing > Programming languages; EDUCATION / Computers & Technology, COMPUTERS / Programming / Algorithms, algorithms and data structures, Programming Techniques, Information technology: general issues, YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Computers / Coding & Programming