Questions on Using Python to Teach Data Structures and Algorithms

From: efrat <efrat_regev@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 03:07:33 +0300

Hello,

I'm planning to use Python in order to teach a DSA (data structures and algorithms) course in an academic institute. If you could help out with the following questions, I'd sure appreciate it:
1. What exactly is a Python list? If one writes a[n], then is the complexity Theta(n)? If this is O(1), then why was the name "list" chosen? If this is indeed Theta(n), then what alternative should be used? (array does not seem suited for teaching purposes.)
2. Suppose I have some file example.py, and I'd like to incorporate it **into** part of an HTML page with nice syntax highlighting and all the shebang. Is there an easy way to do so?
(Sorry, but any Google query involving "Python" and "HTML" (with any other additional terms) led to Python HTML processing libraries.)
3. Are there any useful links for Python/DSA education? I found "Data Structures and Algorithms with Object Oriented Design Patterns" (http://www.brpreiss.com/books/opus7/html/book.html). It is a fine book, but it is unsuitable: my students are electrical-engineers, and barely know how to program; teaching them DSA, python, **and** stuff like the visitor pattern seems impossible.

Python is such a cool language - I'm really hoping the students will enjoy it as much as I do. Once again, many thanks for helping out with this.

Thanks,

Efrat
.

Follow-Ups:
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- Re: Questions on Using Python to Teach Data Structures and Algorithms
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