Deepankar Maitra - Beginners Guide to Code Algorithms: Experiments to Enhance Productivity and Solve Problems

by Deepankar Maitra

First edition published 2022

by CRC Press

6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742

and by CRC Press

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CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

2022 Deepankar Maitra

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Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Names: Maitra, Deepankar, author.
Title: Beginners guide to code algorithms : experiments to enhance productivity and solve problems / Deepankar Maitra.
Description: First edition. | Boca Raton : CRC Press, [2022] |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Summary: This book takes you on a problem-solving journey to expand your mind and increase your willingness to experiment with code Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021044911 (print) | LCCN 2021044912 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781032080642 (hbk) | ISBN 9781032102382 (pbk) | ISBN 9781003214335 (ebk)
Subjects: LCSH: Computer algorithmsAmateurs manuals. | Application softwareDevelopmentAmateurs manuals. | Computer programmingAmateurs manuals.
Classification: LCC QA76.9.A43 M34 2022 (print) | LCC QA76.9.A43 (ebook) | DDC 005.1dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021044911
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021044912

ISBN: 978-1-032-08064-2 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-032-10238-2 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-003-21433-5 (ebk)

DOI: 10.1201/9781003214335

Typeset in Times

by Newgen Publishing UK

Additional eResources for this book are available for download at: https://www.routledge.com/Beginners-Guide-to-Code-Algorithms-Experiments-to-Enhance- Productivity/Maitra/p/book/9781032102382

For my parents

Mr. Priyanath and Mrs. Geeta Maitra

Dr. Amiya Prosad and Mrs. Durga Majumdar

People talk about AI, VR, AR, etc. these days. Each term has a deep scientific meaning and sociopolitical connotation for the user of these words and the people they are directed to. It is simply amazing to see how loosely these terms are used and interpreted today. For example, the A in the AI stands for artificial. While people generally understand that AI is artificial intelligence, I have come across a variety of ways that people perceive artificial. Is it the capability of a machine to figure out a problem? Or is it an ability for a device to do a task? The fact is neitherAI is a computer science term intended to mean the ability of machines to develop intelligence much the same way as humansthe capability to learn.

In this book, I want to introduce a new conceptaugmented common sense (ACS). This is in effect the opposite of AI in some senseit is the ability of humans to develop common sense with the help of machines! Simple concept. Powerful implications for your specific universeI deliberately chose the word universe because I did not want to limit the vast number of situations the average human goes through. Work. Leisure. Entertainment. Exercise. Nurture. Innovate. Contribute. These are all situations that require humans to apply their common sense.

The materials presented here will help you to strengthen your logic and develop your ability to write simple programs to automate your tasks. While there are innumerable ways that a human endeavor can be improved, I will be discussing how this can be achieved through the use of spreadsheets. You will need:

• A computer
• Microsoft Office (any version)
• Your basic skill in working with a spreadsheet
• Your desire to learn programming

The last one is scary for some and easy for others. This book is intended for those who want to be inspired to develop their ACS through programming and discover the beauty of logicthe happiness of solving a riddle.

After reading this book, I hope to have elevated your appreciation of programming. But that is just a side effect. My main objective is to entertain. To help you see the beauty of common sense and to appreciate how simple computing can make mundane tasks interesting.

I am going to begin with a discussion on algorithms and quickly transition into some real-life examples that are both entertaining and useful. Starting with a program on how to play Tic Tac Toe with the computer, I am going to describe a few other interesting problems hoping to inspire you to try your own. The last chapter is a more complex discussion on writing a program to draw a COVID graph of USAdeveloped from the common question that we found ourselves hurled into in 2020, during the tough pandemic days.

Albert Einstein had two famous quotes.

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and Im not sure about the universe.

Albert Einstein

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.

Albert Einstein

This book is to help you discover the world of smart applications through the power of your limitless imagination.

Let the fun begin!

I am grateful to Dr. Anil Bhowmick for his continued encouragement and support.

I thank Dr. Ananda Datta, Venki Krishnamoorthy, and Satish Badgi for their constructive comments and suggestions.

I want to recognize my daughtersAparajita for the illustration in and Amrapali for reviewing the initial chapters.

I appreciate my son-in-law Lahiru for the infinite snacks and granddaughter Anika for her inspiring smiles.

For editing my manuscript and keeping my dream aliveI thank my wife Saswati.

Deepankar Maitra is a leader in business software solution architecture, focused on Human Capital Management. For the past 30 years, he has managed the implementation of enterprise applications in multinational corporations, providing digital solutions to a userbase of over 2,000,000.