The Nature of Code: Simulating Natural Systems with JavaScript

All aboard The Coding Train! This beginner-friendly creative coding tutorial is designed to grow your skills in a fun, hands-on way as you build simulations of real-world phenomena with “The Coding Train” YouTube star Daniel Shiffman.

What if you could re-create the awe-inspiring flocking patterns of birds or the hypnotic dance of fireflies—with code? For over a decade, The Nature of Code has empowered countless readers to do just that, bridging the gap between creative expression and programming. This innovative guide by Daniel Shiffman, creator of the beloved Coding Train, welcomes budding and seasoned programmers alike into a world where code meets playful creativity.

This JavaScript-based edition of Shiffman’s groundbreaking work gently unfolds the mysteries of the natural world, turning complex topics like genetic algorithms, physics-based simulations, and neural networks into accessible and visually stunning creations.

Embark on this extraordinary adventure with projects involving:
A physics engine: Simulate the push and pull of gravitational attraction.Flocking birds: Choreograph the mesmerizing dance of a flock.Branching trees: Grow lifelike and organic tree structures.Neural networks: Craft intelligent systems that learn and adapt.Cellular automata: Uncover the magic of self-organizing patterns.Evolutionary algorithms: Play witness to natural selection in your code.
Shiffman’s work has transformed thousands of curious minds into creators, breaking down barriers between science, art, and technology, and inviting readers to see code not just as a tool for tasks but as a canvas for boundless creativity.

Whether you’re deciphering the elegant patterns of natural phenomena or crafting your own digital ecosystems, Shiffman’s guidance is sure to inform and inspire. The Nature of Code is not just about coding; it’s about looking at the natural world in a new way and letting its wonders inspire your next creation. Dive in and discover the joy of turning code into art—all while mastering coding fundamentals along the way.

NOTE: All examples are written with p5.js, a JavaScript library for creative coding, and are available on the book’s website.

From the Publisher

“Accessible”

“Fred Rogers, Ted Lasso, Dan Shiffman. These are the people I want to emulate, to learn from, and to look up to. The Nature of Code is an incredibly deep but shockingly accessible overview of the JavaScript Language and the incredible mind of Dan Shiffman. What a joy to explore both!”

—Scott Hanselman, VP Developer Community, Microsoft

“Wonderful”

“What a way to explain the complex! Dan has always had a knack for making the difficult seem easy on his wonderfully successful YouTube channel. Things are equally as wonderful in his book. The hands-on approach he encourages students to take before jumping into detailed analysis builds curiosity in any problem solver.”

—Ania Kubow, @aniakubow, Software Developer and Course Creator on “Code with Ania Kubow”

“Engaging”

“A wonderful exploration of natural systems using approachable, witty, and smart examples that any programmer can read and implement on their own. Conversational and engaging, Dan has hit another home run with this one!”

—Rob Conery, author of The Imposter’s Handbook

About the Author

Daniel Shiffman, creator of the YouTube channel The Coding Train, spends much of his free time teaching nearly 2 million subscribers how to code through a blend of step-by-step tutorials and project videos. An associate arts professor at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and co-founder of the Processing Foundation, Shiffman is on a mission to empower curious learners and humans everywhere to express themselves through code.

About the Publisher

No Starch Press has published the finest in geek entertainment since 1994, creating both timely and timeless titles like Python Crash Course, Python for Kids, How Linux Works, and Hacking: The Art of Exploitation. An independent, San Francisco-based publishing company, No Starch Press focuses on a curated list of well-crafted books that make a difference. They publish on many topics, including computer programming, cybersecurity, operating systems, and LEGO. The titles have personality, the authors are passionate experts, and all the content goes through extensive editorial and technical reviews. Long known for its fun, fearless approach to technology, No Starch Press has earned wide support from STEM enthusiasts worldwide.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ No Starch Press (September 3, 2024)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 640 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1718503709
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1718503700
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.31 x 1.36 x 9.44 inches