- Author:
- Magnus Lie Hetland
Gain a fundamental understanding of Pythons syntax and features with the second edition of Beginning Python, an uptodate introduction and practical reference. Covering a wide array of Pythonrelated programming topics, including addressing language internals, database integration, network programming, and web services, youll be guided by sound development principles. Ten accompanying projects will ensure you can get your hands dirty in no time. Updated to reflect the latest in Python programming paradigms and several of the most crucial features found in the forthcoming Python 3.0 (otherwise known as Python 3000), advanced topics, such as extending Python and packaging/distributing Python applications, are also covered. What youll learn Become a proficient Python programmer by following along with a friendly, practical guide to the languages key features. Write code faster by learning how to take advantage of advanced features such as magic methods, exceptions, and abstraction. Gain insight into modern Python programming paradigms including testing, documentation, packaging, and distribution. Learn by following along with ten interesting projects, including a P2P filesharing application, chat client, video game, remote text editor, and more. Complete, downloadable code is provided for each project! Who is this book for? Programmers, novice and otherwise, seeking a comprehensive introduction to the Python programming language. About the Apress Beginning Series The Beginning series from Apress is the right choice to get the information you need to land that crucial entrylevel job. These books will teach you a standard and important technology from the ground up because they are explicitly designed to take you from novice to professional. Youll start your journey by seeing what you need to knowbut without needless theory and filler. Youll build your skill set by learning how to put together realworld projects step by step. So whether your goal is your next career challenge or a new learning opportunity, the Beginning series from Apress will take you thereit is your trusted guide through unfamiliar territory!
Index Terms
- Beginning Python
Reviews
Andreas E. Schwald
It is difficult to hit a moving target. Python is a living language?version 2.6.2 was released on April 14, 2009 and version 3.1a2 (backwards-incompatible) on April 4, 2009. Other areas under development are libraries, tools, and environments. Also, the intended audience, "from novice to professional," may have a wide variety of views and questions. The book is organized in four parts. Chapters 1 to 11 cover the language kernel. Chapters 12 to 19 present application-oriented topics, tools, and libraries, including graphical user interfaces (GUIs), database support, and network programming. Helpful material on testing, packaging, language extensions (C- and Java-binding), and development methods is also included. Chapters 20 to 29 present example projects?the most useful part of the book. Appendices A to D provide compact references, online resources, and Python version 3.0. In the first part, the style is informal, verbose, and sometimes misleading. An assignment is introduced with the header "Assignment Magic" and the announcement: "The humble assignment statement ... has a few tricks up its sleeve." Similarly, "the way parameters work may ... seem a bit like magic at times," and "operations on objects of different classes ... will work as if ?by magic.'" Later, in chapter 9, magic methods?a somewhat unfortunate Python term?are explained without any sorcery. However, for garbage collection, "the Python interpreter (in its infinite wisdom)" is required. The explanation of the fork statement borrows from science fiction: "You might think of parallel universes; the forking operation creates a fork in the timeline, and you end up in two universes (the two processes) existing independently." In a colloquial situation, such jokes may be pleasant. In a textbook, a more humble and matter-of-fact style would be helpful. A nonbeginner searching for concise information hopes for "Appendix B: Python Reference," in vain: "This is not a full Python reference by far?you can find that in the standard Python documentation.... Rather, this is a handy ?cheat sheet' ... for refreshing your memory. See Appendix D for changes ... introduced in version 3.0." The book suffers from incompatible styles; later chapters show a more terse style and interesting examples. The official documentation [1] is strongly recommended. Online Computing Reviews Service
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