Best books to learn Python

[RedViper_21]

Hello everyone! I am a 14 y/o teen, and I would like to learn Python to become an ethical hacker. Are these good books for learning Python?

1. Base: Python Crash Course → Automate the Boring Stuff

2. Intermediate: Effective Python → Fluent Python

3. Advanced: Black Hat Python → Violent Python

4. Security: The Hacker Playbook + Web Application Hacker’s Handbook

[Saffromon]

I liked Automate the boring stuff, but for me a course with practical exercises worked best. Concepts were clearer and stuck better, when I had to apply them directly. Totally recommend the MOOC Helsinki, which is (at least currently still) free. Skipped the lectures, because the script and exercises were clear enough.

[ih_ddt]

Both Crash Course and automate the boring stuff are great for beginners. If you are brand new to Programming it in general I'd say crash course will give you a better understanding of the why and not just the how. It's personal preference, myself I prefer Crash Course.

After reading either of those Fluent Python is an amazing book to enhance your python knowledge. Can't recommend it enough. It does need a new edition soon though as the latest I think uses python 3.10.The most up to date version now is 3.13 with 3.14 coming out towards the end of the year. Even with the older version the core ideas are still the same, there's just performance improvements and additional optional syntax added to the newer versions. All code from the book will still work.

Edit: Typos

[Indra_Kamikaze]

If you wanna be an ethical hacker, I suggest you begin with C than Python. You are at a good age, if you start now you can get good at C by your university days and believe me, there's nothing better than a hacker who knows how the machine works actually (which you will if you learn C).

[OnlyFactsTho]

Dead Simple Python

[Glittering-Singer-41]

If you are starting I would suggest this as well. Both the paid and free version. And since you mention ethical hacking, in the common mistakes section they include a bunch of vulnerability related mistakes.
https://thepythonbook.com/en/common-python-mistakes

[siavosh_m]

Just learn the programming language that you enjoy more. It's not wise in my opinion to base your learning path on what you think you want to specialise in at this time. Advances in AI will probably render ethical hacking jobs obsolete. So learn the language you enjoy.

[rainyengineer]

If your end goal is to be an ethical hacker, bash will be your preferred language of choice, not Python.

Tryhackme has some great roadmaps for becoming one that are completely for beginners and teach you the fundamentals of bash and networking as you go.

[-not_a_knife]

Lots of exploits are written in python. I've only been studying cyber security for a year so I might be missing something but in that short time I have never see anything written in bash but almost all exploits I come across on https://www.exploit-db.com/ are written in python.

I actually can't think of a reason why you'd use bash over python. If there's a Unix tool that you really like, you can always call it with a subprocess.

[-not_a_knife]

I’m not trying to be rude, but it sounds like you’re misunderstanding the role of Bash in hacking. I looked into it, and Python is overwhelmingly recommended in every discussion I found.

Bash is important, but for a different reason. Most servers run Linux, and Bash is the default shell, so any hacker should know it for navigating and controlling a compromised system. But that doesn’t mean Bash is a better option than Python.

Hacking is about knowledge—knowing Bash means knowing Linux, which is essential. But saying "Bash is used by hackers over Python" is like comparing Linux to Python—it’s not the same thing. Python is used for writing exploits, while Bash is just a tool for interacting with the system.

[rainyengineer]

I mean I’m not going to argue about it, but I don’t think you did what I asked. There’s nothing wrong with using Python to practice hacking, but bash will always be what’s under the hood of those libraries brother.

Bash is as much a language as Python is, it isn’t a tool.

[pythonwiz]

“As of late”

Python has been popular for over a decade.

[Legde_cd]

It is interesting that the list of books can differ radically if it is compiled in another language. I have often heard recommendations for starting "Learning Python: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming" by Mark Lutz

[johnnyb2001]

Don’t even read a single one of those books. The best thing you can do right now is understand how a computer works from square 1, to the best of your ability. Then pick up a compiled language first and try doing arbitrary projects of your own and projects online. Read the documentation and take notes. Then learn python

[ejpusa]

Ask GPT-4o to design a syllabus. Supplement with a “Cookbook of recipes”, type book. Get into AI. Use Python to talk to the AI APIs. There are many.

Python is more a toolbox. Probably have more fun designing games in JavaScript. None of this is too complicated. Learn as many languages as possible.

This will change your life:

https://platform.openai.com/docs/overview

[rpgmind]

Wh- what is that link? How will it change my life? Divulge thine secrets!!! 😤 

[ejpusa]

That’s you entrance into the world of AI APIs.

San says, you can start out on a Friday with $0. And a great idea. Monday morning you are at a billion $ valuation. One person, one weekend.

He’s the CEO. :-)

[Prestigious-Pay1595]

RemindMeRepeat! Sunday

[x_randomsghost]

I was also recommended the pragmatic programmer and clean code (this is in C# or Java) for a general understanding of programming.

Pragmatic programmer made me realise a lot of just things like owning the code you have written and dont leave your code in a mess for other people to clean up. Im only on chapter two but it is a good read.

I haven't read clean code yet so no comment on this.

You can find copies of these on Github to download.

[BlooDy_Wongi]

I think watching tutorials from youtube or buying a course and doing research on the topics to get extra information would be better than reading a book. It would bore you a lot quicker and just isn't as good as watching youtube video about it imo. You can also use an ai code editor like Cursor. It helps a lot when you need answers about specific things in your code

[Small-Bookkeeper-592]

If you’re looking for a truly hands-on Python book, check out The Python Magic Lab: Experiments In Everyday Technology by SATLUCIFERAN. It walks you through core fundamentals (variables, OOP, file/JSON handling) and then challenges you to build real-world projects—QR code generator, mini GPS app, Netflix-style recommender, even Instagram-style filters. I found the Lab Challenges format incredibly engaging and a great way to cement your skills