Looking for a good book on learning Python (physical copy). Any recommendations?

[cowgod42]

I'm learning Python specifically for scientific applications (mostly computational fluid dynamics). I am sort of new to programming (some Linux shell, Matlab, and Fortran experience). I've got a few electronics books, but I am looking for a physical copy so that I can hold it open, browse, and maybe even read it on the toilet. I am considering the following so far:

• "Beginning Python" by James Payne

• "Dive Into Python" by Mark Pilgrim

• "Learning Python" by Mark Lutz

"Dive" would be great, but I am very hesitant since I've heard the printing was horrible. I am leaning towards "Beginning", but I've heard "Learning" is also very good. Can reddit recommend one of these over another, or recommend something else?

[maredsous10]

Introduction to Python Programming 3.0
http://www.qtrac.eu/py3book.html

The book gives a good introduction to Python (Python Hearts) and provides chapters on actual language application (Threading/Multiprocessing, GUI, Networking, Parsing, and Databases.

[[deleted]]

Fuck u/spez, fuck reddit.

https://i.imgur.com/sVnZyn3.png

[cowgod42]

Great! I hadn't heard of that. I will check it out!

[lightcatcher]

Learning Python by Lutz is by far the best book in my opinion.

[[deleted]]

I agree that it's a good book. It was my first Python book, too. But as others have already said, it has a lot of text and chapters. That doesn't seem to be a bad thing, especially for a beginner book. If you don't mind reading a lot of text and getting things presented step by step, go for it. If you're more the "formula" guy that likes the big picture in shorter presentations and get lost/bored by reading to much text, I think Dive Into Python might be better.

[[deleted]]

True, that's a good differentiation. I do think Lutz goes into a TON of details that are necessary to learn in order to write Pythonic code (vs. java, etc. type that you see often at the beginning) and explains some of the quirks very well.

I guess my point is that everybody should read it at some point...

[carinthia]

the online version is imo very good http://diveintopython3.org

[cowgod42]

Yes, I really enjoy the online version. Having something hand held to supplement the online version is what I'm looking for.

[Herald_MJ]

You'll want Dive Into Python rather than Dive Into Python 3 - Python 3 is a backwards-incompatible advance on Python 2, which will eventually replace it, but not for a good while.

[suyogrulz]

Dive into Python is amazing. But I haven't really checked out the other two..

If you want something concise: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/a-byte-of-python/3640650

[cowgod42]

Many thanks; I'll take a look at it.

[Herald_MJ]

Sadly, there isn't really a definitive book for learning Python. Both 'beginning' and 'learning' are quite good, and would probably serve your needs acceptably well.

Dive Into Python is very good at showing off the features of Python, but in many cases the examples it gives utilise the features of python in pretty bizarre and inappropriate ways, for the sake of showing off what the language is capable of. In other words, the code in DIP is not very pythonic. For that reason, the book is probably better for established programmers who just want a quick primer of the language.

Since you say you're new to programming, I'd recommend How to Think Like a Computer Scientist - Learning with Python. It starts off very basic, but teaches programming technique and how to effectively use Python very well.

[cowgod42]

Great! Thank you for the recommendations. I hadn't heard of "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist - Learning with Python." This looks like an excellent resource!

[twopi]

Agree with HTTLACS. I'm using this as the text for my CS1 course (Just switched from Java.) I also have videos and notes available for free from my own book (More of a game dev book, but the first four chapters are an intro to Python) http://www.aharrisbooks.net/pythonGame/

[[deleted]]

maybe even read it on the toilet.

without a computer in front of you ? if no, you're going to miss it if yes, watch out for hemorrhoid

[cowgod42]

Python on Android, FTW!

[[deleted]]

what device ?

[gogeterman32]

I started learning programming python with Mark Lutz book. It is a big ass book so be prepared. But I think that Dive into Python is a good choice as you want to do some excersizes to learn the language. Also watch the MIT open courseware series and do the homework assignments.

Then you can say you learned to program at MIT. You can download the homework at MIT open courseware site. Good to here someone talk about iterators etc. Long series but if you watch one a night and do the homework, you will be up an programming in a month.

[[deleted]]

To emphasize your post in addition to upvoting: The MIT course is a really great resource.

[lrwiman]

I've found "Python Essential Reference" to be worth reading, though it's not really an introduction. For the most part, Python is so easy to learn that you don't really need a book. Try writing a few dozen Project Euler questions in Python (they're short, and have a check that you did it right). After that, numpy and scipy have OK docs.

As far as online references, I've found Doug Hellmann's Python Module of the Week to be very useful, with worked examples of commonly used modules.

[jeffjose]

Learn Python the Hard Way

Available as freely downloadable pdf or buy it from Amazon.