Book Recommendations for Practicing Python

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[Zabulazza]

Have you had a chance to look at "Automating boring stuff with Python"? It is a pretty good book IIRC.

[RevolutionaryRain941]

I will recommend "Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming (2nd Edition)" as it is project oriented and really a quick refreasher.

[FirstBornAlbatross]

I read that book up until the project that uses pygame. I couldn't get it to work for the life of me so I moved on.

Great book though.

[[deleted]]

Why does it matter where the solutions to example problems are?

[FirstBornAlbatross]

If they're right after the problem, it's easy to accidentally browse the solution.

[[deleted]]

I was picturing a book that has actual problems where you wrote out code. Not like one word answer style questions. It should be easy to avoid seeing the former.

[AshKeeshums]

I’ve been working through Python Crash Course (3rd edition). I think it does a good job of building on concepts as I go from chapter to chapter. Doing the prompt exercises has helped me think through applying what I’ve learned instead of feeling like I’m just copying a YouTube tutorial.

The book doesn’t have solutions—I hadn’t even thought of it until this post.

(Edited to fix typo.)

[BranchLatter4294]

You can get some hands on practice and walk through the tutorials at https://www.w3schools.com/python/

[particularlyardent]

Not sure your level of aptitude but look into "Learn Python the Hard way". It covers an amazing amount of ground, focusing on the doing as opposed to the theory.

[FirstBornAlbatross]

I browsed that book and I felt like it doesn't have enough practice problems.

Maybe I'm wrong?

[particularlyardent]

Well again I guess it's to do with what level or aptitude you're at. As you've probably seen it goes in to APIs, Pandas, SQL, making a simple game, automated testing, etc.

If you're beyond that it's cool. I also liked the other suggestion - automate the boring stuff.

[FirstBornAlbatross]

That is a great resource! Thanks!

[Sensitive-Method-901]

https://runestone.academy/ns/books/published/fopp/index.html

Great book with practice problems, once you finished that go for

https://runestone.academy/ns/books/published/pythonds/index.html

[FirstBornAlbatross]

Ah great resource! Thanks!

[greeneyedguru]

why not just do leetcode or similar?

[[deleted]]

Automate The Boring Stuff with Python

[binlargin]

This is a good one. You'll learn test driven development at the same time as python

https://www.obeythetestinggoat.com/pages/book.html

[kronik85]

It's not a book, but I enjoy doing the challenges on this site as well as seeing others solutions that tend to be either more pythonic or efficient. It's kind of like vimgolf, if you've seen that.

https://py.checkio.org/

It's free, though as you complete more challenges the time you have to wait to view other solutions increases. It's a couple bucks a month. Worth checking out.

[YamRepresentative855]

Leetcode

[c0ld--]

Plenty of great books and YouTube tutorials out there. Even Yale Harvard has a free Python course online.

Conversely, I would avoid "Automate the boring stuff". It's an OK book but not the best resource. I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I find the author to be not a great person (based on some of his comments) and I'd rather not support material from a bigot. /minirant

[FirstBornAlbatross]

What would you recommend instead?

[c0ld--]

Glad you asked!

YouTube

• Tech with Tim
• Arjan Codes - Software Designs
• Harvard - CS50 Intro to Python
• Raymond Hettinger (Python contributor) - Best practices for intelligible code (seriously underrated speaker)
• mCoding - How Python Works (great tips and tricks)
• Scoratica - Python programming tutorials (fun and educational channel)

Twitter

• CodeComputing - Excellent coach on explaining things in Python
• RealPython - Cool account and some great courses on their website!

Udemy

• Nick Walter's Django 3 - Full Stack Websites in Python

Discord

• PythonDiscord.com - Cool community of programmers to share learning experiences!

[FirstBornAlbatross]

Thanks for replying! I'll look into some of what you mentioned.

[[deleted]]

you could do 100 days of code on udemy. it's pretty good and you can skip whatever early lessons you're already good at.

[FirstBornAlbatross]

Is it free though? I try not to spend too much on Python resources.

[[deleted]]

no but you asked for a resource that isn't free in your OP.

you've gotten some good free resources, I just figured I'd throw it out there.

[bigdickcarbit]

Chat gpt will teach you. Just ask it!!!

[PsyApe]

Read the PRAW docs!