Product Description

Gain a fundamental understanding of Python’s syntax and features with the second edition of Beginning Python, an up–to–date introduction and practical reference. Covering a wide array of Python–related programming topics, including addressing language internals, database integration, network programming, and web services, you’ll 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 you’ll learn

• Become a proficient Python programmer by following along with a friendly, practical guide to the language’s 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 file–sharing 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 entry–level 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.” You’ll start your journey by seeing what you need to know—but without needless theory and filler. You’ll build your skill set by learning how to put together real–world 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 there—it is your trusted guide through unfamiliar territory!

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56960 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 688 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781590599822
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Magnus Lie Hetland is an associate professor of algorithms at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU. Even though he loves learning new programming languages&emdash;even quite obscure ones&emdash;Magnus has been a devoted Python fan and an active member of the Python community for many years, and is the author of the popular online tutorials "Instant Python" and "Instant Hacking." His has written publications including Practical Python and Beginning Python, as well as several scientific papers. When he isn't busy staring at a computer screen, he may be found reading (even while bicycling), acting (in a local theater group), or gaming (mostly role-playing games).

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Customer Reviews

Very readable, and reasonable...
I admit it. I really like Python as a programming language. So there. :-)
I think that Magnus has a very reasonable approach to presenting Python as a programming language. The real benefit to this book, however, is the collection of projects, and the way in which they are presented. Each project chapter is presented using the following template:

- What's the problem
- Useful tools
- Preparations
- First implementation
- Second implementation
...
- Putting it all together
- Further exploration

Far too many programming books present the "final" code in all its "glory" with no indication to the reader that it took multiple iterations to get to the code that was presented.

Yes, this takes a bit more room, but for those to whom programming is new, it is a very valuable technique. It is really important for programmers to realize that the first draft, or attempt, doesn't have to (and will almost never) be right, or complete.

Thanks
Magnus!

Excellent book for learning Python
I've been programming computers since 1960. This is the best book I've ever seen on learning a new language. Material is introduced at the right pace, in the right order, and in a very readable fashion. I highly recommend it. I tried other books on Python (free and non-free) and chose this one as the best for me. I think it will be the best for you, too!

Still Useful, after all these years.
With the move to Python 3.0, I've been reading newer Python books a lot recently, either in final print form or pre-publication drafts. Then a friend just gave me her copy of this book, which I had read before but did not own.

I ended up re-reading a lot of this book and loving it more this time around. In particular, Magnus writes true Python code, getting to the heart of the language itself. I've read one too many "Python" books that are merely re-writes of a programming book from another language. Sure, you can re-write your C or Java code in Python, but to really grasp the beauty and efficiency of Python, you should be writing true Python (Pythonic) code. Magnus gets it, and this book is definitely worth reading, even now. It would be nice to have a version updated to 3.0, but this book is much better than the few 3.0 books I have seen published so far.