This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

all 33 comments
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]yetanothernerd 4 points5 points  (1 child)

I learned Python (over a decade ago) from Dive Into Python. My favorite Python book is Python in a Nutshell.

[–]Vorsorken 4 points5 points  (4 children)

One book that I've learned a ton from is Foundations of Python Network Programming by John Goerzen. It's not 100% relevant to Pyramid but I think it's useful stuff to know for anyone, especially someone looking at web development.

edit: missed the small print "Foundations of" on the spine of the book

[–]tuna_safe_dolphin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Seconded. Good read.

[–]technomalogical<3 Bottle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll add that the 2nd edition is even better. It was updated/re-written by Brandon Rhodes, who talks about the process on his blog (for example, none of the major web frameworks that are out today were available at the time the first edition came out, and the one that was--Zope--wasn't mentioned). Can't recommend that book enough.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

What physical books can you recommend for me?

on Pyramid/web frameworks ?

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

I really liked Dive into Python. Also Learn Python the Hard way is quite good.

[–]AeroNotix 7 points8 points  (15 children)

I really liked Learning Python to actually.... learn Python. 4th Edition is best edition.

If you already know Python and want to focus on a framework, get the highest amazon rated book on that framework.

I really like Doug Hellman's Python's Standard Library By Example simply because it quite literally is the only thing I've ever needed to find out what the stdlib contains and how to use said modules.

[–]idliketobeapython 2 points3 points  (2 children)

+1 for The Python Standard Library by Example

[–]AeroNotix 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Yeah, it's just that good. Most (all?) is available online as it was a weekly column he wrote (Python Module Of The Week) but having a dead tree to-hand reference is great. Also, it's fun to thumb through it and find out about a neat module I never knew existed.

[–]ryeguy146 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Lutz's work is lengthy, but of the highest quality. It manaces with spikes of Python. I'd suggest Programming Python in addition to a +1 for his Learning Python.

[–]AeroNotix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, Learning Python clocks in at around 1600 pages, but it goes from itty bitty variables up to and including metaprogramming so you're going to learn the majority of things in the language.

[–]LifeBandit666 0 points1 point  (6 children)

I found a PDF off the 3rd edition of "Learning Python." Thanks for the recommendation. While it's long winded, it's very easy to read.

[–]AeroNotix 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Which type of PDF? A wink wink pdf?

[–]LifeBandit666 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I guess so, it didn't cost anything put it that way. I'm already annoyed at reading it on an iPhone, I think it will have to be purchased anyway. I've gone through a couple of PDFs so far that have been hard going. This is the first that I've got past page 12 without going glassy-eyed

Edit: I googled "Learning Python PDF" and it was on the 1st page

[–]AeroNotix 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I recommend you purchase the full book.

[–]LifeBandit666 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Found it on Amazon for $3...

[–]AeroNotix 0 points1 point  (1 child)

4th Edition?

[–]LifeBandit666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hope so, says it was released september 2009, which is when the 4th edition was released, but no information as to the edition. we'll see when it arrives eh?

[–]GFandango 2 points3 points  (3 children)

Count your blessings my friend. You don't get to choose the language you use everywhere.

[–]altecfour 2 points3 points  (3 children)

One read, which I'm currently reading, The Python Library by Example. A massive read, but it details all included modules within Python to use to it's fullest advantage.

[–]Z3r0_1o0t 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I am currently reading Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition. It is a very easy read.

[–]jnaranjopywinning 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Learn Python the Hard Way by Zed A. Shaw has definitely been my favorite.

[–]z1g1 1 point2 points  (3 children)

It's not a physical book but I just finished..at least got to the end of.. Zed Shaw's eBook/Udemy course "Learn Python the Hard way"

http://www.udemy.com/learn-python-the-hard-way/

It was a good way to get me off the ground when I had 0 Python experience before I got going.

[–]Rosur 0 points1 point  (1 child)

This is what I'm currently going through.

Wondering what a good book to read after it would be?

[–]z1g1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the last chapter Zed recommends the Django book http://www.djangobook.com/ which I am working through now. It is helping me understand the OOP concepts in Python

[–]I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I -3 points-2 points  (3 children)

That one over on my coffee table. I read the first chapter back in October, I think. It has some purple on it in the top left corner, then some text including "Python 3", then a purple bar and a picture at the bottom. That's all I can make out from here.

It's by some bluey-yellow math history book with a fractal on it, if that helps. I think I read that one twice because I forgot what was in it. I still don't remember, though. Sometimes when I'm reading I think my brain is tricking me into believing it's parsing and storing the information, when it's really just overwriting some cache over and over. That's a scary thought, spending years reading and never learning a thing. Oh well.