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The books on this page are all general introductions to the Python language. Most of these books will contain a few chapters on particular applications such as GUI interfaces or Web programming, but won't go into great detail on any one topic; refer to the PythonBooks page for lists of application-specific books. Experienced programmers who prefer a brief and condensed introduction should look at the list of ReferenceBooks.


How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python

0971677506, Green Tea Press 288 pages

How to Think... is a free textbook available under the GNU Free Documentation License. It is a true beginners book. The ebook version is free and available in PDF, HTML and PostScript.

[http://thinkpython.com Home Page]


Dive Into Python: Python for Experienced Programmers

ISBN:?, E-book

Dive Into Python is a free Python book for experienced programmers. It is available in various formats and languages.

[http://diveintopython.org Home Page]


Learning Python

1565924649, O'Reilly & Associates, 300 pages (April 1998)

Learning Python is meant for true beginners, and others seeking a quick introduction to the language. It focuses on the core language, and includes numerous exercises with solutions, to guide the reader through a hands- on learning experience.

[http://rmi.net/~lutz/about-lp.html Home page] [http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/lpython/chapter/ Sample chapters] [http://www2.linuxjournal.com/lj-issues/issue66/3541.html Review by Phil Hughes in Linux Journal]

A second edition is in the works.


The Quick Python Book

1884777740, Manning Publications, 275 pages (October 1999)

A clear and concise description of Python aimed at readers who are already familiar with programming in at least one other language.

[http://www.manning.com/Harms/Chapters.html Two sample chapters] [http://www.accu.org/bookreviews/public/reviews/q/q002082.htm Review by Francis Glassborow in _C Vu_] [http://www2.linuxjournal.com/lj-issues/issue73/3851.html Review by Phil Hughes] [http://www.amk.ca/python/books/qpb.html Review by AMK]


Learn to Program Using Python

0201709384, Addison-Wesley, 270 pages (December, 2000)

This book teaches programming for true beginners using Python as the teaching language. It started as a popular Web tutorial, and been expanded into a complete book.


Programming Python (Second Edition)

0596000855, O'Reilly & Associates, 1292 pages (March, 2001)

A massive volume, updated to cover Python 2.0. The first edition was the second Python book to be published.

[http://www.python.org/doc/essays/foreword.html Foreword by Guido van Rossum] [http://www.ercb.com/ddj/1997/ddj.9711.html Review of the first edition by Greg Wilson] [http://www.usenix.org/publications/login/1998-4/python.html Review of the first edition by Terry Rooker in ;login:] [http://dannyreviews.com/h/Python.html Review of the first edition by Danny Yee]


Python Pocket Reference

1565925009, O'Reilly & Associates, 75 pages (November, 1998)

This handy reference guide summarizes Python statements, built-in functions, escape and formatting codes, and other prominent Python language features.


Python Standard Library with CDROM

0596000960, O'Reilly & Associates, 250 pages (February 2001)

Based in part on 3,000 newsgroup articles written by Python veteran FredrikLundh over the last four and half years, this book provides sample scripts for all standard modules in the Python library. Also available in German.

[http://www.pythonware.com/people/fredrik/librarybook.htm Author's book page] [http://effbot.org/supplement/index.htm Electronic supplement]


Core Python Programming

0130260363, Prentice Hall, 500 pages (November 2000)

From an anonymous reviewer: "Very well written. It is the clearest, friendliest book I have come across yet for explaining Python, and putting it in a wider context. It does not presume a large amount of other experience. It may be too slow for more advanced people, but it does go into some important Python topics carefully and in depth. Unlike too many beginner books, it never condescends or tortures the reader with childish hide-and-seek prose games. Not too many in-depth real-world examples in the book [hopefully he will do a followup volume], it sticks to gaining a solid grasp of Python syntax and structure."


Web Programming in Python: Techniques for Integrating Linux, Apache, and MySQL

130410659, Prentice Hall, 450 pages (October 2001)

The book has introductory chapters on Python, networking, Apache, Linux, and MySQL. It is a self- contained reference to Python and open-source programming that makes use of Python to develop real applications that are also available under an open source license.


Programming With Python

0761523340, Prima Publishing, (October 1999)

[http://www2.linuxjournal.com/lj-issues/issue73/3851.html Review by Phil Hughes in Linux Journal] [http://lists.tummy.com/pipermail/frpythoneers/2000-June/000085.html Review by Cary Miller]


Python Developer's Handbook

0672319942, Sams, 600 pages (December 2000)


Python Annotated Archives

0072121041, McGraw-Hill, September 1999


Python How to Program

ISBN 0-13-092361-3, Prentice Hall, 1376 pages (2002)

In the renowned Deitel series "How to Program"

[http://vig.prenhall.com/catalog/academic/product/1,4096,0130923613,00.html description]

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