4.2 Python resources

Python is an object-oriented programming language that is widely used in the software industry. A number of resources are available to help you learn more about the Python programming language.

Python web sites

The official Python web site (www.python.org) contains a wealth of information on the Python programming language and the Python community. For new Python programmers the web site contains links to:

  • General descriptions of the Python language.

  • Comparisons between Python and other programming languages.

  • An introduction to Python.

  • Introductory tutorials.

The web site also contains a reference library of Python functions to which you will need to refer.

Python books

  • Altom, Tim, Programming With Python, Prima Publishing, ISBN: 0761523340.

  • Beazley, David, Python Essential Reference (2nd Edition), New Riders Publishing, ISBN: 0735710910.

  • Brown, Martin, Python: The Complete Reference, McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 07212718X.

  • Brown, Martin, Python Annotated Archives, McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 072121041.

  • Chun, Wesley J., Core Python Programming, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 130260363.

  • Deitel, Harvey M., Python: How to Program, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 130923613.

  • Gauld, Alan, Learn To Program Using Python, Addison-Wesley, ISBN: 201709384.

  • Harms, Daryl D., and Kenneth McDonald, Quick Python Book, Manning Publications Company, ISBN: 884777740.

  • Lie Hetland, Magnus, Practical Python, APress, ISBN: 1590590066.

  • Lutz, Mark, Programming Python, O'Reilly & Associates, ISBN: 1565921976.

  • Lutz, Mark, and David Ascher, Learning Python, Second Edition, O'Reilly & Associates, ISBN: 0596002815.

  • Lutz, Mark, and Gigi Estabrook, Python: Pocket Reference, O'Reilly & Associates, ISBN: 1565925009.

  • Martelli, Alex, Python in a Nutshell, O'Reilly & Associates, ISBN: 0596001886.

  • Martelli, Alex, and David Ascher, Python Cookbook, O'Reilly & Associates, ISBN: 0596001673.

  • Van Laningham, Ivan, Sams Teach Yourself Python in 24 Hours, Sams Publishing, ISBN: 0672317354.

The books Python Essential Reference and Learning Python are recommended reading.

Python newsgroups

Discussions of Python programming can be found at:

  • comp.lang.python

  • comp.lang.python.announce