Learning Python · 3rd Edition

Portable, powerful, and a breeze to use, Python is ideal for both standalone

programs and scripting applications. With this hands-on book, you can master

the fundamentals of the core Python language quickly and efficiently, whether

you're new to programming or just new to Python. Once you finish, you will

know enough about the language to use it in any application domain you choose.

_Learning Python_ is based on material from author Mark Lutz's popular

training courses, which he's taught over the past decade. Each chapter is a

self-contained lesson that helps you thoroughly understand a key component of

Python before you continue. Along with plenty of annotated examples,

illustrations, and chapter summaries, every chapter also contains **Brain

Builder** , a unique section with practical exercises and review quizzes that

let you practice new skills and test your understanding as you go.

This book covers:

Types and Operations -- Python's major built-in object types in depth:

numbers, lists, dictionaries, and more

Statements and Syntax -- the code you type to create and process objects in

Python, along with Python's general syntax model

Functions -- Python's basic procedural tool for structuring and reusing code

Modules -- packages of statements, functions, and other tools organized into

larger components

Classes and OOP -- Python's optional object-oriented programming tool for

structuring code for customization and reuse

Exceptions and Tools -- exception handling model and statements, plus a look

at development tools for writing larger programs

_Learning Python_ gives you a deep and complete understanding of the language

that will help you comprehend any application-level examples of Python that

you later encounter. If you're ready to discover what Google and YouTube see

in Python, this book is the best way to get started.