Already the industry standard for Python users, Programming Python from O'Reilly just got even better. This third edition has been updated to reflect current best practices and the abundance of changes introduced by the latest version of the language, Python 2.5.

Whether you're a novice or an advanced practitioner, you'll find this refreshed book more than lives up to its reputation. Programming Python, 3rd Edition, teaches you the right way to code. It explains Python language syntax and programming techniques in a clear and concise manner, with numerous examples that illustrate both correct usage and common idioms. By reading this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to apply Python in real-world problem domains such as:

• GUI programming
• Internet scripting
• Parallel processing
• Database management
• Networked applications

Programming Python, Third Edition covers each of these target domains gradually, beginning with in-depth discussions of core concepts and then progressing toward complete programs. Large examples do appear, but only after you've learned enough to understand their techniques and code.

Along the way, you'll also learn how to use the Python language in realistically scaled programs--concepts such as Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and code reuse are recurring side themes throughout this text. If you're interested in Python programming, then this O'Reilly classic needs to be within arm's reach. The wealth of practical advice, snippets of code, and patterns of program design can all be put into use on a daily basis--making your life easier and more productive.

Reviews of the second edition:

"...about as comprehensive as any book can be."
--Dr. Dobb's Journal

"If the language had manuals, they would undoubtedly be the texts from O'Reilly...'Learning Python' and 'Programming Python' are definitive treatments."
--SD Times

Rating:

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Need to actually read your book before posting Re: Needs a better index,  November 02 2008
Submitted by PyNutt   [Respond | View]

Before posting and looking like someone who rushes and skips through books without reading everything including explanations of why and how the things are written, and then posting a singularly negative review based upon one single point and then look to the world like someone who does all the above before leaping, let me help you with the answers your own book has been waiting to tell you:

Preface xxv: "Fundamentally, though, this edition, like the second, is still focused on ways to *use* Python rather than on the language itself."

Preface xxv: "But in general, this text assumes that you already have at least a passing acquaintance with Python language fundatmentals, and moves on to the rest of the Python story -- its applications to real tasks."


Let's skip back even further to the beginning:

Preface xxi: "Now that I've told you what this book is. I should tell you what it is not. First of all, this book is *not* a reference manual. Although the index can be used to hunt information, this text is not a dry collection of facts; it is designed to be read."

Preface xxi: "Rather, this book is a *tutorial* that teaches the most common Python application domains from the ground up. It covers each of Python's target domains gradually, beginning with in-depth discussion of core concepts in each domain, before progressing toward complete programs. Later examples do appear, but only after you've learned enough to understand their techniques and code."

Preface xxii: "In a sense, this book is to application-level programming what the book [Learning Python] is to the core Python language...this book is designed to be a natural follow-up to the core language materials in Learning Python."

Preface xxv: "...If you find code in this book confusing, I encourage you to read [Learning Python] as a prelude to this text."



So there you have it, I am all for rubishing books that mislead and make blatent messes of the learning of programming tools. But you sir, have stuck your foot in it and shown what a complete prat you are making an ill informed opinion and obviously ill informed choice before picking the book up off the shelf.

Mark Lutz, deserves at least an open an honest opinion from readers in the target audience, not hit and run posters like yourself.


Needs a better index,  April 23 2008
Submitted by Hauch   [Respond | View]

Think of a python word. Look in the index. Chances are it isn't there. A book is not searchable electronic media, novel though this experience might be for most programmers, I know! You really, really cannot skimp on the index. You could usefully double the number of index pages. Take a python interpreter, get a full list of python words. Put them _all_ in the index unless they don't appear in your book, not even once. Then write down a list of concepts such as "flow control". Add those too. Then you will have at least a basic index. At present the book is just an exuberant random assembly and no good as a source for answers.


Outstanding Python Reference Top To Bottom,  March 22 2007
Submitted by Daniel McKinnon   [Respond | View]

'Programming Python' by Mark Lutz is an absolute gem of a book for anyone that is, wants, or has to learn Python. From the nuts and bolts to learning how to do the uber-exciting superstar stuff, this book has it all and then some. At around 1,550 page, this book is certainly not on the light side, but as I rarely do with books this larger, I cannot complain one bit. Solid writing, wonderfully laid out, and the kind of guide that can be described as "a course in a book", this is an exceptional reference for Python users and lovers the world over.

Can I possibly use any more adjectives to describe how much I praise this book?? If you use Python or want to become a better Python programmer, pick up this home run and you'll be rounding the bases in no time!!

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


As advertised...,  January 13 2007
Submitted by claff   [Respond | View]



As an experienced programmer new to Python, this (large!) book is proving its worth at a very early stage. I picked up the rudiments of Python from the 'Nutshell' book, and the online tutorial (www.python.org). This book picks up from there perfectly - how to get things done.

I have sifted through the first few chapters and feel I've learned much about the 'python way' of doing things. I have also had a need for help with XML (middle of the book) and C-extentions (end of the book), and found that jumping around as such was not a problem - the material sampled in both of these sections provided a foundation that was far easier to deal with than previous attempts to patch together info from web searching, etc.

I'll never have time to read it cover to cover, but it will be on my desk anytime I'm python'ing.




Networking section is too dated,  December 27 2006
Submitted by Stephen Purpura   [Respond | View]

Scraping and processing the web for data is increasingly interesting to blooming social scientists. With the availability of the BeautifulSoup library, these occasional programmers are now able to slice & dice HTML with regular expressions. But they shouldn't use this book to help them scrape the data from the Internet. Reading this book and using its examples, one might conclude that cookies don't exist on the Web.

If you're looking for solid Web examples or networking example code, don't look here. This section of the book is in need of a re-tune.

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