Learning Python

Python is a popular open source, object-oriented programming language used for both standalone programs and scripting applications. Portable, powerful, and a breeze to use, there's no quicker way to master the language than to learn from expert teachers. This new edition of Learning Python puts you in the hands of Mark Lutz and David Ascher, two notable Python experts and trainers whose friendly, well-structured prose has guided many programmers to proficiency in the language. Learning Python, Second Edition offers programmers a comprehensive learning tool for Python and object-oriented programming. Thoroughly updated for the numerous language changes since the release of the first edition in 1999, this book introduces the basic elements of the latest release of Python 2.3 and covers new features, such as list comprehensions, nested scopes, and iterators/generators. Beyond language features, this edition of Learning Python also includes new context for less-experienced programmers, including fresh overviews of object-oriented programming and dynamic typing, new discussions of program launch and configuration options, new coverage of documentation sources, and more. There are also new use cases throughout to make the application of language features more concrete. Learning Python starts by giving programmers all the information they'll need to understand and construct programs in the Python language, including types, operators, statements, classes, functions, modules, and exceptions. The authors then present more advanced material, showing how Python performs common tasks by offering real applications and the libraries available for those applications. There are exercises throughout the book to test your new skills. Learning Python, Second Edition is a self-paced book that allows readers to focus on the core Python language in depth. As you work through the book, you'll gain a deep and complete understanding of the Python language that will help you to develop larger applications on your own. This book is for anyone who doesn't want to stop at just learning Python, but wants to master it as well.Ascher, David is the author of 'Learning Python' with ISBN 9780596002817 and ISBN 0596002815.