A fun yet thorough Python-based introduction to algorithms, which are sets of instructions that allow a computer to solve problems. The book tackles classic algorithms like searching, sorting, and optimization as well as those used in fields like machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Algorithms for the Adventurous is a thorough introduction to algorithms, which are sets of instructions that allow a computer to solve a problem and are key to the success of many of today’s computer applications. Readers learn about many standard computer science algorithms including ones for searching, sorting, and optimization as well as newer ones used in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Readers also learn how to understand real life algorithms like how a baseball outfielder uses an algorithm to determine where to run to field a ball; how computers can beat humans at games like chess; how a chatbot can understand and respond to human speech; and how algorithms have been used throughout history. Readers need little more than high school math to understand an algorithm and the Python code needed to implement the algorithm – all of which is introduced line-by-line in order to make the code as understandable as possible.