Bill Lubanovic - Introducing Python: modern computing in simple packages

The first seven chapters explain Pythons basics,and you should read them in order.The later chapters show how Python is used inspecific application areassuch as the Web, databases, networks, and so on;read them in any order you like.The first three appendices showcase Python in thearts, business, and science.Then, you see how to install Python 3 if you dont have it.Next are answers to the end-of-chapter exercises,and then finally, a few cheat sheets of useful things.

Programs are like directions for making socksor grilling potatoes. Some real Python programs give a littledemonstration of the languages look, capabilities,and uses in the real world.Python fares well when compared with other languages,but it has some imperfections.An older version of Python (Python 2) is giving way to a newer one (Python 3).If you have Python 2, install Python 3 on your computer.Use the interactive interpreter to try examples from this book yourself.

This chapter shows Pythons simplest data types:booleans, integers, floating-point numbers, and text strings.You also learn the basic math and text operations.

We step up to Pythons higher-level built-in data structures:lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets.You use these as you would Legos to build much more complicated structures.You learn how to step through them by using iterators and comprehensions .

In , you weave the data structures of the previous chapters with code structures tocompare, choose, or repeat. You see how to package code in functions and handle errors with exceptions .

This chapter demonstrates how to scale out to larger code structures: modules, packages, and programs.You see where to put code and data, get data in and out, handle options, tour the Python Standard Library,and take a glance at what lies beyond.

If youve done object-oriented programming in other languages,Python is a bit more relaxed. explains when to use objects and classes,and when its better to use modules or even lists and dictionaries.

Learn to manage data like a pro.This chapter is all about text and binary data,the joy of Unicode characters, and I/O.

Data needs to go somewhere.In this chapter, you begin with basic flat files, directories, and filesystems.Then, you see how to handle common file formats such as CSV, JSON, and XML.You also explore how to store and retrieve with relational databases,and even some recent NoSQL data stores.

The Web gets its own chapter, which covers clients, servers, scraping, APIs, and frameworks.In , you work up a real website with request parameters and templates.

This is the hard-core system chapter.In this one, you learn to manage programs, processes, and threads; deal with dates and times; and automate some system administration tasks.

Networking is the subject here: services, protocols, and APIs.Examples range from low-level TCP sockets, to messaging librariesand queuing systems, to cloud deployment.

This chapter contains tips for Python developers, includinginstalling, using IDEs, testing, debugging, logging, source control,and documentation. also helps you to find and install useful third-party packages, package your own code for reuse, and learn where to get more information.Good luck.

The first appendix delves into what people are doing with Python in the arts:graphics, music, animation, and games.

Python has specific applications for business:data visualization (plots, graphs, and maps),security,and regulation.

Python has a strong presence in science:math and statistics, physical science,bioscience, and medicine. featuresNumPy, SciPy, and Pandas.

If you dont already have Python 3 on your computer, this appendix shows you how to install it, no matter if youre running Windows, Mac OS/X, Linux, or Unix.

This has the answers to the end-of-chapter exercises.Dont peek here until youve tried the exercises yourself.

This appendix contains cheat sheets to use as a quick reference.