Programming Python [Paperback]

Programming Python is a book designed to take people who know Python and guide them on how to actually make it do things in the real world. It's important to note that the material in here (In the December 2010 4th edition) is for 3.X versions of Python and only deals with 2.X to the extent that the versions overlap, so you'll be better off with an earlier edition of the book (or another book designed to deal thoroughly with both versions) if you're working on a project that needs to work uusing earlier versions of Python.

The amount of information here is gigantic, and includes sample code to some degree on practically every page. I was working from an ebook that O'Reilly gave me access to as a review copy, and I can imagine how unwieldy the actual physical book must be given the 1600+ page count. If you prefer to buy hard copies of books, this is definitely not going to be the quick reference book that you carry around in your back pocket.

Since it's so focused on how to actually use Python code to accomplish specific tasks, the best thing about Programming Python is that it comes from O'Reilly. It shares their usual policy for programming books that you're welcome to reuse the code samples in your own projects, and the publisher also provides errata for all of their books at their website.

If you need a guide on how to do just about anything from creating a GUI to interfacing with an SQL database, Programming Python is a remarkably thorough resource.

I've programmed in Python before, but haven't used it for a couple of years. I was looking for a refresher, as well as some example applications.

Firstly note that this book isn't an introduction to Python, nor is it a reference. The author makes that clear in the preface, instead referring you to the other titles he has written. Also the book covers Python 3.x. Perhaps those who are interested in earlier versions should get the previous edition of the book. On the other hand while there are some changes between the two versions, reading the book wouldn't be a waste of time if you are interested in Python 2.x

I liked this book in the sense that if I looked up a particular topic, I often found his discussion reasonable and could get some useful idiomatic python code to use.

On the other hand, the author intends this book as a tutorial. When I tried to read through it as a tutorial I just found it falling a bit flat. Also at around 1600 pages I doubt I would have the endurance to read through it from beginning to end.

I guess the main problem with the book is that you are interested in one particular area to use Python, say web development, or interfacing with databases this book would probably have insufficient detail, and you would want a specialist book in that area. Also I found the authors writing style somewhat verbose. Another issue is that those people who want to build a GUI for instance may not be interested in his choice of tool Tkinter.

In conclusion, this book does have some useful information, I didn't really like it. While it is hard to pin down the reasons for my dislike, I guess it is because he tries to cover so many topics, that not all of them are covered that well. Also it is not always clear who the audience is, beginners may find his explanations to terse, whereas those who have some familiarity with python may wonder why he is pointing out the obvious. I recommend people who are looking to develop a particular application in python, instead get a book more focused on their area of interest. Those who are new to python should avoid this book also. Those who are looking for a python 3.x refresher should find a book that's a little less weighty.

It's kind of annoying all those people who have received a free book from O'reilly giving it a five star review. Although they disclosed it, it now makes me suspicious as to how many other five star reviews are given by people who enjoy getting free books, and haven't disclosed the fact.

I own more than 100 O'Reilly books and dozens of Python books, since I've been a Python user, instructor and evangelist for 13 years now. The first edition of this book was the first book published about Python by O'Reilly, and it was often compared to Programming Perl at the time. The comparison was very bad for this book: it is much longer, yet shallower than the Camel Book; it tries hard to be funny, but Larry Wall's jokes are less frequent but more effective; it is poorly edited, while the Camel Book is a gem and a true classic.

The pace is excruciatingly slow for a seasoned programmer of any language, but in spite of long and repetitive explanations this book is not accessible to beginners because of excessive, needless jargon and attention to irrelevant details when first introducing language features, making the narrative hard to digest.

It is accurate and up to date, and for this reason I give it 2 stars instead of one. But anyone looking for a Python book will be better served looking elsewhere. From O'Reilly, Alex Martelli's Python in a Nutshell is the best there is to really understand how the language works and how it should be used, even if it is outdated. Python Essential Reference by David Beazley is excellent too, and the 4th edition is very up to date. The Dive into Python books (Python 2 and Python 3 versions exist) are also excellent, and free as in speech. The Quick Python Book by Manning is also good. In fact, every other Python book that I know is a better buy than this one, which probably sells mainly due to the O'Reilly brand and because it was the first. BTW, Martelli, on p. 12 of Python in a Nutshell, 2e, refers readers to nine other books by O'Reilly and other publishers, including two others by Mark Lutz. This is one is not among the recommendations. I think I know why.