This book presents computer programming as a key method for solving
mathematical problems. There are two versions of the book, one for
MATLAB and one for Python. The book was inspired by the Springer book
TCSE 6: A Primer on Scientific Programming with Python (by Langtangen),
but the style is more accessible and concise, in keeping with the needs
of engineering students.
The book outlines the shortest possible path from no previous experience
with programming to a set of skills that allows the students to write
simple programs for solving common mathematical problems with numerical
methods in engineering and science courses. The emphasis is on generic
algorithms, clean design of programs, use of functions, and automatic
tests for verification.