Python Programming Books?

[herraotic]

I have been getting ready to learn programming for a long time,
installed a GNU/Linux operating system, learnt the ins and outs but I
think it is time to pick up a book and learn to now program.

I have never actually programmed before only dabbed into XHTML so do
take it in mind that I need a book that could slowly progress me into
the fundamentals of programming.
I chose Python as my first programming language from hearing the praise
it got for elegant design and mainly the managment of the excessive
underlingy pins of machine resources and for it to teach you the
creative parts.

So now i'm hear to use all of your collective expertise for the ideal
book for a beginning programming who want's to start with python.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Rony Steelandt]

1.Python for Dummies
Maruch Stef;Maruch Aahz - Hungry Minds Inc,U.S. - 408 pages - 08 2006

2.Programming Python
Lutz Mark - O Reilly - 1256 pages - 07 2006

3.Core Python Programming
Chun Wesley J - Peachpit Press - 07 2006

4.Python
Fehily Chris - Peachpit Press - 05 2006

5.Python Essential Reference
Beazley David - Sams - 03 2006

6.Python Power!
Thomson Course Technology Ptr Development - Course Technology Ptr - 03
2006

7.The Book of Python
Goebel J - No Starch Press - 1200 pages - 03 2006

8.Python Scripting for Computational Science
Langtangen Hans P. - Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co.
K - 750 pages - 12 2005

9.WxPython in Action
Rappin Noel;Dunn Robin - O Reilly USA - 12 2005

10.Python Programming for Gaming
Dawson R. - Course Technology - 11 2005


11.Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner
Dawson Michael - Premier Press - 10 2005

I have been getting ready to learn programming for a long time,
installed a GNU/Linux operating system, learnt the ins and outs but I
think it is time to pick up a book and learn to now program.

I have never actually programmed before only dabbed into XHTML so do
take it in mind that I need a book that could slowly progress me into
the fundamentals of programming.
I chose Python as my first programming language from hearing the praise
it got for elegant design and mainly the managment of the excessive
underlingy pins of machine resources and for it to teach you the
creative parts.

So now i'm hear to use all of your collective expertise for the ideal
book for a beginning programming who want's to start with python.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

--
---
Rony Steelandt
BuCodi
rony dot steelandt (at) bucodi dot com

Visit the python blog at http://360.yahoo.com/bucodi

 

[vbgunz]

Learning Python by Mark Lutz will be the most perfect book to get you
started! Perhaps there are others aimed at the non-programmer but after
getting through that book (2 times) I finally left it with wings... It
is a great book for the n00b in my humble opinion. After that, you'll
pretty much start flying higher on your own as long as you always keep
the python docs handy along with the addresses to comp.lang.python and
it's IRC channel #python on irc.freenode.net...

Good luck, welcome to Python!

 

[herraotic]

Thanks, if you don't mind could I have a small <b>personal</b>
description on the quality of the books (pros, cons).

I also am interested if anyone has used "Python Programming: An
Introduction to Computer Science" and if I could be given a detailes
evaluation about it.

Thanks again.

 

[herraotic]

Thanks vbgunz that was the reply I was looking for!
Do you think it is wise to hold back for a 3rd edition?

My 1:47 pm message was a reply to Rony Steelandt.

 

[bruno at modulix]

So now i'm hear to use all of your collective expertise for the ideal
book for a beginning programming who want's to start with python.

'ideal' greatly depends on the reader !-)

But FWIW, this is a FAQ (well : 2):
http://www.python.org/doc/faq/general/#i-ve-never-programmed-before-is-there-a-python-tutorial
http://www.python.org/doc/faq/general/#are-there-any-books-on-python

And you may get good answers here:
http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers

and by googling this ng (someone asked the same question yesterday...).

HTH

 

[Rony Steelandt]

Since I'm a professional developper,I don't think that my personnal
view on those books would be of any use to you. I actually have no idea
how to start Python if you're not a developper, I know it is possible
since quit a lot of matimatical engineers use it.

But I'm sure some people here will give you good advise.

Thanks, if you don't mind could I have a small <b>personal</b>
description on the quality of the books (pros, cons).

I also am interested if anyone has used "Python Programming: An
Introduction to Computer Science" and if I could be given a detailes
evaluation about it.

Thanks again.

--
---
Rony Steelandt
BuCodi
rony dot steelandt (at) bucodi dot com

Visit the python blog at http://360.yahoo.com/bucodi

 

[Brian]

Thanks, if you don't mind could I have a small <b>personal</b>
description on the quality of the books (pros, cons).

I also am interested if anyone has used "Python Programming: An
Introduction to Computer Science" and if I could be given a detailes
evaluation about it.

I have a copy of this book on my shelf. I think it may be a good
choice since you are new to programming. One thing to keep in mind is
that is it a Computer Science book that uses Python to teach CS. As a
result, you do not get too deep into the language.

One book that I think you should definitely look at is Beginning Python
from Novice to Professional. I think that it is one of the best books
out there on the subject, is an easy read, has clear and concise
examples, and does a great job of explaining the whys without making
you think you are reading a PhD thesis.

On a final note, I think that Python Essential Reference is a good
reference book on the language.

One thing you might want to look at is Safari Bookshelf by O'Reilly
http://safari.oreilly.com/ . They have all of their books online for
your to read. It costs $14/month, but you get a 2 week free trial to
decide if you want it. You can even download whole chapters as pdf's.
In my mind it is a great place to test drive a book, or to have one
that you only need to see one or two things in.

HTH,
Brian

 

[John Salerno]

Learning Python by Mark Lutz will be the most perfect book to get you
started! Perhaps there are others aimed at the non-programmer but after
getting through that book (2 times) I finally left it with wings... It
is a great book for the n00b in my humble opinion. After that, you'll
pretty much start flying higher on your own as long as you always keep
the python docs handy along with the addresses to comp.lang.python and
it's IRC channel #python on irc.freenode.net...

Good luck, welcome to Python!

I second this opinion completely. Use this book to start with! It is a
wonderful intro to the language and will give you a solid foundation.

As for waiting for a 3rd edition, don't do it! If you're like me, you'll
want the latest there is, so I was tempted to start with something newer
too (since this book covers up to 2.2), but honestly it covers
everything you need to know. There are maybe two or three new additions
that you can read about elsewhere, but Learning Python is THE book to
start with, IMO.

Get it now!

 

[John Salerno]

One book that I think you should definitely look at is Beginning Python
from Novice to Professional. I think that it is one of the best books
out there on the subject, is an easy read, has clear and concise
examples, and does a great job of explaining the whys without making
you think you are reading a PhD thesis.

I disagree, and I'm surprised so many people think this book is that
great. I found it to be way too cursory of an introduction to the
language. Fortunately I had already read Learning Python, so Beginning
Python made sense to me, but even still, as I was reading it I kept
saying to myself "I know this passage here, or this sentence there,
would make no sense to me if I didn't already understand it from LP."
Beginning Python does not do a good job of explaining how Python works,
it only introduces all the parts of it, rather too quickly, IMO, for
someone just learning the language.

 

[John Salerno]

Thanks, if you don't mind could I have a small <b>personal</b>
description on the quality of the books (pros, cons).

I also am interested if anyone has used "Python Programming: An
Introduction to Computer Science" and if I could be given a detailes
evaluation about it.

I'm actually getting this book in the mail today. I'll let you know what
I think of it if you're interested, but I say don't wait, go buy
Learning Python (2nd ed.) now!

 

[herraotic]

I borrowed Learning Python 2nd edtion from a library once and it felt
condensed with information and I didn't think I could start with it
"yet" as I want a book made for a beginner programmer and I don't think
Learning Python 2nd edtion is made for my audience.

I want something that explains programming fundamentals and explains it
in general while also showing the reason in practise and from reading
some free PDF's of "Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer
Science" I think it fit the bill perfectly, I would have it already but
i'm only 15 and my dad is a bit weary of using his credit card online
.

 

[John Salerno]

I borrowed Learning Python 2nd edtion from a library once and it felt
condensed with information and I didn't think I could start with it
"yet" as I want a book made for a beginner programmer and I don't think
Learning Python 2nd edtion is made for my audience.

I want something that explains programming fundamentals and explains it
in general while also showing the reason in practise and from reading
some free PDF's of "Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer
Science" I think it fit the bill perfectly, I would have it already but
i'm only 15 and my dad is a bit weary of using his credit card online
.

Well, I *would* say that Learning Python does assume a little knowledge
of programming in general, so in your case it might not be a good start.
On the same note, neither is Beginning Python.

If your problem is limited access to books, you might want to try this
site: http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCSpy/index.htm

 

[herraotic]

If you don't mind could you send me an email to my address, John
Salerno, and tell me whether "Python Programming: An Introduction to
Computer Science" was good.
Email preferably because it will take you a while to finish the book

500 pages and I probably won't look back on this topic.

Thanks!

 

[Jerry]

I think that Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional is a great
book for beginners. It's probably a bit too simplistic for someone who
already understands the language or who has a decent background in
development. I just borrowed it from my brother and while I consider
myself a pretty good developer (I know PHP, Perl, Shell Scripting,
VBScript, Visual Basic, and some C), I found that some of the things
that other books presented where more advanced and that they left me
missing some of the more basic concepts in Python (i.e. list
comprehension made simple). After Beginning Python, a good book to go
to would be Dive Into Python which you can get free at
http://www.diveintopython.org. The book covers much of the same
material that Beginning Python does, but has many more full fleged
examples to help solidify what you are doing. I've also heard really
good things about Learning Python, but these other two books seem to
cover all of the same material.

After these, I plan on reading Game Programming with Python and the
Python Cookbook to round out my library.
I'll have to check out Python Essential Reference and I'll probably get
Mastering Regular Expressions (which I think is a must have for any
language even though it focuses on Perl).

 

[gregarican]

I third this opinion. This book gave me a lot of insight and helped me
get comfortable using Python. I also recall looking at a document Guido
published on how to get started with Python as well as reading the
reference docs that come bundled with the language install. Of course I
came from a background of already using Ruby so the departure wasn't
altogether difficult. The languages are different but to me they seem
like cousins

Typically when I try to teach myself a new language, such as Python,
Ruby, Smalltalk, Scheme, Haskell, etc. I check out my online catalog
through my local library system. Usually I can find a couple of books
to peruse. If I don't like them I can just drop them back off. Then I
check out eBay for used books. This route was especially helpful for
teaching myself Smalltalk, since a lot of the books were 10-20 years
old so I picked them up for anywhere between $1.00 to $5.00.

I digress. "Learning Python" by Mark Lutz is a thorough and complete
introduction to what you need to know to get started. Even if you are
coming into Python with no prior programming language exposure.

 

[vbgunz]

Thanks vbgunz that was the reply I was looking for!

Do you think it is wise to hold back for a 3rd edition?

No, 2nd edition is literally perfect. The reason why is because almost
nothing significant enough has changed since it's publication. In other
words, you will not learn any outdated material. everything you learn
in Learning Python is still applicable in the latest version of Python
(2.4.3, 2.5).

I will not be surprised in the least if typos are the only items
corrected in the 3rd edition, perhaps along with a little bit of some
new material. The fundamentals, the basics, the only real knowledge
necessary to start getting busy in Python is found in the book. Good
luck, I hope you enjoy it!

 

[Aahz]

1.Python for Dummies
Maruch Stef;Maruch Aahz - Hungry Minds Inc,U.S. - 408 pages - 08 2006

Possibly September if we get behind, but since Neal Norwitz is trying to
accelerate the release of 2.5, that's not too likely. (This should be
the first 2.5-specific book out.)

2.Programming Python
Lutz Mark - O Reilly - 1256 pages - 07 2006

3.Core Python Programming
Chun Wesley J - Peachpit Press - 07 2006

5.Python Essential Reference
Beazley David - Sams - 03 2006

8.Python Scripting for Computational Science
Langtangen Hans P. - Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co.
K - 750 pages - 12 2005

9.WxPython in Action
Rappin Noel;Dunn Robin - O Reilly USA - 12 2005

Not sure why you suggested these books, they don't appear to be aimed at
beginning programmers.

 

[Michael Tobis]

I am not happy with any of the Python-as-a-First-Language books out
there. My vague inclination to write one has not yet formed into a firm
intention, but it's close.

Of the books that are out there, Learning Python and Dive Into Python
are best for the hobbyist as opposed to classroom setting, but my sense
is that both of them go a bit too fast for the typical beginner with no
formal training.

In the classroom setting, Zelle's book or Hetland's are good, but they
are a bit dry for the hobbyist.

In my opinion, if you are just looking for a pleasant exploration of
whether you enjoy programming, one option to consider is Python
Programming for the Absolute Beginner by Michael Dawson, which focuses
on developing games.

mt

 

[=?iso-8859-1?q?Luis_M._Gonz=E1lez?=]

Free online resources for learning Python:

To get started, I strongly suggest Josh Cogliati's "Non-Programmers
Tutorial for Python" ( http://honors.montana.edu/~jjc/easytut/easytut/
).
I learned programming with this little tutorial, which is a very good
introduction.

After that, you could check these ones:
"A Byte of Python" by Swaroop CH
"Learning to Program" by Alan Gauld
(http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld/)

The last one is specially good to grasp the basics of object oriented
programming. It has a very good example of a banking application that
was a real eye opener to me.

Good luck,
LUIS