Python Web Programming

Python Cookbook

Foundations of Python Network Programming (Foundations)

Learning Python, Second Edition

Python in a Nutshell

Python

Web Programming in Python: Techniques for Integrating Linux, Apache and MySQL

Format: Paperback
Author: George K. Thiruvathukal
ReleaseDate: 15 October, 2001
Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR
Rating:

Learning Curve - Too Unfocused
In particular, I would have like information better leading into the heart of the book in Chapter 8 and beyond. Chapters 1-6 did not contain enough examples to get into thr mindset of the book.

Chapter 7, on the other hand, is an excellent introduction to the world of web programming.

Then, in Chapter 8 and beyond, not enough of a coding and understanding base has been built to follow the design considerations of the tools into the Slither and other tools.

In general, the information freely available on the Net for Python makes it look like the perfect tool for open source Web programming. However, the relative lack of intermediate documentation (ex. object-oeiented programming at more than a basic level) means that most actual Web sites are built in PHP, Java, or other languages not nearly as elegant. This book continues that tradition by including tools that aren't sufficiently explained to the point that I know either to: (a) use the tool, and don't reinvent the wheel; (b) these tools work, but you need to add to them for a robust application; or (c) nobody's done that (well) yet, so get going!

Still, Chapter 7 alone saved me weeks in development.

My biggest complaint is that I was anticipating learning the details of web-based MySQL database programming in Python. There's lots of infomation on MySQL programming - in MySQL. Also, as I do not own the web server - I pay a few dollars a month for that - I (a) can't configure the web server; (b) don't need to configure the web server; (c) need techniques that will work, having access to MySQL and Python, without having root access to the web server.

Thank you to our readers & web site
First, we thank all of you for the generally positive comments about our book. Hello, Everyone. We worked hard to bring you a book of high quality and are still alive.

I wish to point out that the nature of this project was to provide a solid framework that, initially, was aimed at helping our readers to learn the issues involved in developing serious web applications. Think of Slither as a web framework aimed at being understood pedagogically, similar to what Minix aimed to do for teaching/learning operating systems.

That said, a number of things have changed since we wrote the book. All of our day jobs became more demanding, similar to what's going on in much of the US workforce. We are committed to evolving Slither (the framework described in our book) and look forward to involving others in the project via our new home on SourceForge. A new release is already in the planning stages, which we hope will make Slither one of the best web programming frameworks ever--especially for Python programmers!

For those who wish to grab the latest code, please visit the Slither project at SourceForge. We do not post URLs due to Amazon's guidelines.

Best kept secret in web programming
It could be described as Web programming with Python and Open Source tools. Talk about a sleeper! This book may be one of the best kept secrets in the world of Web programming books. In the hands of most authors, this much breadth would produce a multi-volume set of books complete with material that could readily be found elsewhere. The reader is fortunate that it was written and edited by educators who know how to present the pertinent and relevant details of the OS, the Shell, the Python language, Apache, SQL. Lesser books give you the world but require the reader to determine what is relevant and how to use the features described. The manuscript is original and efficient; definitely not a regurgitation of material available on the Web. The advanced sections pertaining to the development of an application server are rich with good programming methodologies. However, some chapters may be exceedingly routine for intermediate and/or advanced server-side programmers. The book could be described as a "LAMP" developer guide for novices (where the P stands for Python not Perl).

A previous reviewer cited some typos. In an effort to keep that comment in perspective, I believe the number of errors for this amount of breadth + depth is very low. .