Choose Python Crash Course if you are a beginner looking for a practical introduction to Python. Opt for Introduction to Algorithms if you need a comprehensive and theoretical understanding of algorithms and data structures for academic or professional purposes, and have some prior programming experience and a solid mathematical background.
| Attribute | Python Crash Course, 3rd Edition | Introduction to Algorithms, 4th Edition (Cormen et al.) |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Beginner | Suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses. Accessible to readers of all levels. Requires some programming experience. May require an above-average mathematical background. |
| Programming Language | Python 3.11 | Uses pseudocode |
| Algorithms Coverage Breadth | Not specified in detail, focuses on practical application | Comprehensive |
| Data Structures Coverage Depth | Covers fundamental data structures like lists and dictionaries | Comprehensive |
| Number of Practice Exercises | Includes exercises for each topic | 931 exercises and 162 problems. The 4th edition has 140 new exercises and 22 new problems. |
| Real-World Project Examples | Space Invaders-inspired game, data visualizations, web application | The book motivates each algorithm by examining its impact on applications to science, engineering, and industry. |
| Code Example Clarity | Clear and easy to follow | Algorithms are described in English and pseudocode. Pseudocode is designed to be readable. |
| Explanation Depth of Theoretical Concepts | Sufficient theory to get started without overwhelming detail | Provides careful explanations of the mathematics needed to understand the analysis of the algorithms. |
| Up-to-date Content | Revised to reflect the latest Python code and practices, including updates to libraries like Matplotlib, Plotly, and Django. Includes VS Code and `pathlib` module | The fourth edition includes new chapters on matchings in bipartite graphs, online algorithms, and machine learning. It has new material on solving recurrence equations, hash tables, potential functions, and suffix arrays. |
| Availability of Supplementary Materials | Online resources, source code files, and solutions | Has a website with supplementary material. Solutions to some exercises and problems are available on the website. |
| Edition Year | 2023 | 2022 |
| Author Reputation | Eric Matthes, former high school teacher and full-time author | Authored by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein. It is a leading algorithms text in universities worldwide and a standard reference for professionals. |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |