Learning Python, 3rd Edition

This book was very handy as a reference when having to learn python in depth pretty quickly, only gave it 4 stars because it didn't go deep enough in a few areas for my taste but I keep going back to it now and then and I'm glad I have it on my bookshelf.

After getting a review copy of Learning Python, 3rd edition, I had forgot how much really great material was in the book. If you are interested in learning about Python 2.6 and Python 3000, and have some experience with Programming in another language this is an excellent book.

This book is not a reference book like the excellent Python Essential Reference, but more of a example driven guide through features of the language. I would pick this book up even if you know Python, as it covers new language features that have not been documented in some books.

'Learning Python' is one of those rare books that is an absolute MUST BUY. If you want to learn Python or want to become a better Python developer, this book is essential... E-SSEN-TIAL.

The author Mark Lutz is the guru of Python and he bares his Python-loving soul in this book. Covering 29 chapters, you will go from the basics of the history of the language and main uses to all the goodies that you would expect. Declaring variables, conditional branches, types, strings, documentation, functions, modules, OOP, database access, it's all here and is it ever goooood.

I was going to go into more detail about why you should buy this book but I'm stopping here. You came to this page because you are going to program in Python or want to learn more about it right? Buy the book and get coding!!!

***** HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION

You can learn Python from Learning Python. But for a language that's attracted a lot of hype about its wonderful LISPy conceptual features (e.g., anonymous functions), this is a sadly pedestrian book in a lot of ways. Here are some complaints (I end with a request, so skip down if you must.)

1. There are way too many (i.e., more than five) screenshots of Windows programs, with accompanying instructions (thanks guys!) to find things in the "Start" folder. OK, that's snobbish, I guess I can just skip it. But it makes me feel uncool.

2. OOP is introduced very poorly, in fragmented ways, that do not aid deep understanding. I know LISP. I know C. I do not know OOP. If python is OOP, and in a cool, not bolted-on fashion, I want you to introduce and develop OOP concepts as we go along so I can get the hang on things. As it stands, things are introduced in a haphazard fashion for a long time -- what are __allthesethings__ I keep seeing? Even though the type handling explanation is done in a natural fashion. I think it's reasonable to expect that readers have understood *some* language before turning to Python, so you can throw us in the deep end as long as you're a good instructor.

3. The documentation features are introduced early, and very poorly. They just don't make intuitive sense as presented, and it's not helping that the examples are cutsey (a function that squares things is doc'd "Then we take your liver".) Actually, examples are all like this, kind of weird, arbitrary and dumb, which makes comprehension hard. Monty Python references, OK, fine, but at least have them make a little sense?

4. 2+3 are running problems with the book (another concept thrown up without explanation: functions, whose syntax is not explained until chapters later.)

5. Problems at the end of chapters are not particularly strong. There should be fewer of them, and they should be of greater complexity and challenge. That's a pedagogical opinion, of course, and reasonable people can disagree.

I think you can learn Python from this book. In fact, I'm sure of it given the comments here and the O'Reilly editorial team. But I'm on page 180, and I've come here to complain that while everyone is telling me that python is as slick as perl, with the conceptual elegance of an OOPy LISP, this book is doing an insanely poor job of proving the case.

Perhaps I've been spoiled by good books. But maybe someone can help this princess and recommend a better one for Python than this?

That's it. If you want to learn Python, it's a great place to start. Be sure to follow up with Programming Python, by the same author.