Python Cookbook

Programming Python, Second Edition with CD

Python in a Nutshell

Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner (Absolute Beginner)

Python Pocket Reference (Pocket Reference (O'Reilly))

Programming

Learning Python, Second Edition

Format: Paperback
Author: Mark Lutz
ReleaseDate: December, 2003
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Rating:

This should be your first Python book!
I know there are several choices for 'beginning' type Python books, and you may be tempted to choose a different one because it is newer than this one, but please understand that you lose nothing by reading this book instead. This is simply a stellar introduction to the Python language, for both newcomers to programming and those who are already proficient in another language. It covers Python 2. 3 (which is just short of the current 2. 4), and there are only a couple of items not referred to (e. g. decorators and decimals). But you can easily read up on the latest features online. The benefits of this book far outweigh the fact that it was published a few years ago!

Here is the true advantage of Learning Python: the authors describe the language in complete detail from the ground up. They begin with how to use the interactive interpreter and IDLE, and then move on to built-in data types. Every single thing that could be considered a 'component' of the Python language gets its own chapter (numbers, strings, lists, etc. ), and the larger components (functions, modules, classes, etc. ) each get their own Part (which is further divided into chapters). In other words, they take plenty of time to describe everything you need to know about everything in the language. You won't finish learning the core language until well into the 400-range of pages.

Another intro Python book that I just began reading has already covered numbers, arithmetic operators, functions, modules, and a few other things, all by page 20! I won't name the book yet, because I'm not fairly deep enough in it yet. But this is certainly not good for a newcomer.

Don't even wonder about other books! Learning Python covers every aspect of the language in great detail, yet at the same time remains intelligent (e. g. it does not explain to you what variables in general are (hopefully you have a basic understanding of programming already), but it explains in great detail what variables *in Python* are). After you read this book, you will have an amazing foundation in Python.

Not really useful
It also lacks a reference section and is excessively wordy. This book is not very good for actually learning Python.

Learning implies tutorials and a gentle progression from basic to advanced subjects; this book does neither. For example, in chapter 3, "How You Run Programs", it introduces modules and namespaces--fairly advanced concepts to read about before even the first "hello world" program! In chapter 4, as it describes the use of numbers and strings, it is already delving deep into the uses and implications of Python's objects.

With well over 500 pages, there should be plenty of room for a reference section, but there is none. There is no list of built-in classes and their methods.

The overall tone of the book is enthusiastic, touting Python's object-orientedness and other advantages. Unfortunately, it is excessively wordy and difficult to read. Cheerleading can be excused, but it is present on nearly every page and gets old quick.

In a book about programming or a programming language, one might want tutorials, reference, discussion of advanced topics, or code examples. This book provides none of these things. I do not recommend it.

Not worth the expense.
This book does an adequate job of teaching, but I'd say that "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist" does better, and you can just look at it on the website. Programming books have two uses: to teach you and as a reference. The index is lousy, which makes it hard to find things, and it doesn't cover enough material to make it useful. I wish I'd just bought two copies of Python in a Nutshell instead.