Python

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

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Format: Paperback
Author: Mark Lutz
ReleaseDate: 24 February, 2005
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Rating:

An Excellent Pocket Reference

In ~150 pages, Mark Lutz manages to deliver an informative reference for the 2. I've not been too pleased with O'Reilly's Python material in general; it tends to be verbose and needlessly abstruse, but the Python Pocket Reference has proven itself an exception.4 version of the Python language, which I find myself referring to rather often. It's concise, well-organized, and easy to use. I've found this reference an invaluable tool in learning the Python language, as well.

The clarity of this reference will, doubtless, be a boon to any Python programmer.

Object achieved
It is amazing how much information that is packed into this small format. While this is not the tool for learning Python, it is a valuable reference. Toss it into your laptop bag for a quick reference, particularly since the third edition contains an index and covers Python 2. 4.

With so many useful applications using Python as a macro language (e. g. Testmaker), this handy reference will earn its keep. I wonder if O'Reilly has a Ruby on the way, since they have mastered the format.

Of course, there is always the online documentation, if you are online.

Good ref
Content structure:

The first few pages summarize how to run Python (command line
args, environment variables, etc). This is the third edition of the book.
The next 80 pages describe the core language itself (syntax,
builtin types and functions, builtin class attributes, etc).
The following 50 pages describe the most essential modules of the
Python standard library.
Finally, 5 pages summarise essential Python idioms and hints, and
the 10 page index.

The biggest changes from the 2nd edition are:

the index, which according to 2nd ed reviews was sorrily missed,
the significant additions (20 pages worth) to the core section
coverage of Python 2. 4.

The first (and possibly only important) question that comes to mind is, given the high quality of the online documentation that comes with standard Python, is the book worth having? The big attraction of the book is its coverage of the core language, in an easy to understand and compact "reference" style. Contrast this to the online version of the "Python Language Reference". Not only is the latter a full rather than a summary reference, but it is written in a comparatively terse style. Another advantage of the "pocket reference" is that you don't have to wade through a lot of information to find what you need - it's the bare bones, easily accessible from index.

The coverage of some of the most important standard modules is interesting but I don't think it offers much over the online docs. Actually, I would even replace those 50 pages with more extensive coverage of the core language, including class hierarchy diagrams (e. g. for exceptions), perhaps a table indicating major changes between Python versions, reference material for the unit testing, debugging and distribution modules.

Interestingly, the http://www. python. org/doc page links to a "Quick Reference" in HTML format that is quite comprehensive, very similar in coverage to the book, but with all the advantages of being in electronic format. The book seems slightly better structured. So the decision of buying the book might rely solely on whether or not you prefer to use index - fingers - paper vs search - click - screen. And whether you can wait for the next paperback edition to cover new Python language features as they come out.

The author achieves his goal: a reference in pocket format. The important content you would expect from a pocket format is there, it is well categorized and well indexed. If you are looking for a good compact reference summary of the Python language in paper format, this book should satisfy you.

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