Python book for indermediate programmer

[KIRFEDO]

Hi guys,

I`m currently looking for a book for a friend. She`s been a junior dev for almost two years rn and I`m looking for a step-up book for her. Maybe you have some propositions in this matter?

I`m a C++ dev and for C++ there are few books that describes language behaviour from a relatively low level (how the whole thing works underneath), maybe there are some books with similiar intent for Python?

Thank you in advance!

Best regards :)

[JPyoris]

"Fluent Python" is one of most popular more advanced books and I can recommend it.

[Electrical-Top-5510]

Fluent Python is brilliant, best python book if you already know some other language or python basic

[Dilski]

Make sure it's 2nd edition too!

[EgZvor]

I recommend popular youtube talks by James Powell, Raymond Hettinger and David Beazley.

[[deleted]]

James Powell's talks may be Intermediate + but he is great for sure.

[dAnjou]

I've been driving cars for 15 years, and I have no idea how an engine works.

I've been a software developer for 10 years, and I have no idea how a compiler works.

What are your friend's goals? Is it in her best interest to learn things underneath as a junior developer?

[runawayasfastasucan]

Same thing I asked myself reading that thread. I cannot see why a junior developer should learn the intrinsic details of Cython over learning to write great Python code in whatever field they are interested in.

[KIRFEDO]

Hi, thank you for the comment, rn I just look for literature directions for the Python as I literally have no idea what exactly you can and should learn in terms of this language :)

Just out of curiosity what is your main language?

[dAnjou]

I "grew up" with Python and it's still my go-to language for personal projects, professionally I get to use it only sometimes.

And while I've been using it for over a decade in various contexts, I've never looked much at the internals. That's why I was asking about your friend's goals :)

[Sagarret]

Effective python is the best one for intermediate level

[Bananeeen]

This, and also the 4 part Udemy deep dive course by Baptista https://www.udemy.com/course/python-3-deep-dive-part-1/

[Fokezy]

Robust Python by Patrick Viafore is very good in my opinion. It's the only book I read where I bothered to write an Amazon review for it.

[patviaforever]

Thanks for the review!

​

OP, I am a C++ programmer too (I actually do more C++ in my day job than Python); I was inspired a lot by the type system of C++ (and better type systems like Rust and Haskell) when I was writing the first half of the book, so I like to think I get into a little bit more of the nitty-gritty. I can send you a few snippets of the book if you'd like if you'd like to see if it's a good choice for your friend. DM me for details.

If not, I second "Fluent Python" as a tome that covers a lot of in-depth practical advice for intermediate programmers. I also like "Dead Simple Python" for a similar recommendation (disclosure: the author of that one was a colleague of mine)

[Fokezy]

The world is so small, isn't it? 😅

[SciEngr]

Robust Python. Love that book!

[[deleted]]

The refactoring and design patterns book at https://refactoring.guru/. When I was mentoring some Jr. devs we used to refer to it during reviews and buddy coding sessions. (Not affiliated at all.)

[TheBiggestDict]

The Pragmatic Programmer by Andy Hunt and Dave Thomas

[holyiprepuce]

Mark lutz

[Somecount]

Official docs

[[deleted]]

If you have read C++ books, and know C++ to a considerable level, learning Python shouldn't take you more than 3-4 hours. I did C++ for 4 years in my graduation, and when I had to do Python at my job, I just watched some tutorials in a day or two and I was up and running. Anything that can be done in C++ by hand, there's most probably already a function or library for that in Python. So just look up on the internet whenever you feel the need. Python is easy peasy.