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Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional by Magnus Lie Hetland

 
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<pre>Author/s : Magnus Lie Hetland
Publisher : Apress
Category : Other
Review by : Gregg Bolinger
Rating : 10 horseshoes
</pre>
I could write about how Apress has a knack for publishing great books by great authors. I could write about how "Beginning Python" is one of my favorite books so far, and not just on Python. I could write about how Magnus Lie Hetland does a wonderful job of introducing the reader to the Python language. I could write about how "Beginning Python" is one of the few books that actually delves into as many possible uses for the Python language from simple lists and string manipulation to GUI's to web development. Believe it or not, with all the great content in this book, the best is yet to come.

Starting with Chapter 20 "Beginning Python" takes the reader through ten (10) complete projects start to finish including two versions of a file sharing application (version two adds a GUI) and a small game. The best way to showcase the power of a language is to show it in action. Magnus does just that with these project chapters. And it makes the book fun. It makes Python fun. It makes learning fun.

For anyone wanting to learn Python or for a Python developer that wants to expand their knowledge and increase their productivity and find new uses for a great language, "Beginning Python" is a must have. It's definitely one of my top five (5) favorite programming books.


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More info at Amazon.co.uk
 
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<pre>Review by : Ernest J. Friedman-Hill
Rating : 8 horseshoes
</pre>
The Python language is named after the famed "Monty Python" comedy troupe. This book takes these origins to heart, using Monty Python quotes as a framework on which to build a quirky, fun Python language tutorial.

Apart from the idiosyncratic humor, the structure of the book is fairly conventional, with a quick start followed by some language chapters, a few chapters on objects, a chapter on exceptions, a chapter on testing, and one on GUIs. The second half of the book is a series of tutorial projects. As with many books of this type, the neat division into chapters leaves the language presentation a little fragmented at times.

I liked the format of the project chapters. There are clearly marked sections containing motivation and prerequisites, so that the reader understands the intent of each project before reading further. Many of the projects are developed iteratively, and the distinct iterations are again marked with large headings, making it easy to follow the progress of the project.

If you're interested in learning the Python language and appreciate Monty Python's brand of humor, you'll enjoy this book.


More info at Amazon.com
More info at Amazon.co.uk
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