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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.


An Introduction to Python

0954161769, Network Theory Ltd, 124 pages (September 2003)

This is a printed edition of the official Python tutorial by Guido van Rossum. For each copy sold $1 will be donated to the Python Software Foundation.

[http://www.network-theory.co.uk/python/manual/ Home Page] (includes electronic version)


Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science

1887902996, Franklin Beedle & Associates, December 2003

This is a textbook for a "traditional" introduction to computer science course (CS1) using Pyth

[http://mcsp.wartburg.edu/zelle/python Home Page]


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

1590593561, Apress 432 pages

Dive Into Python is a free Python ebook for experienced programmers available under the GNU Free Documentation License. A printed version has been published by Apress [http://www.apress.com/], and is available through all major outlets.

[http://diveintopython.org Home Page]


Learning Python

0596002815, O'Reilly & Associates, 620 pages (December 2003)

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-lp2e.html Home page] [http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/lpython2/chapter/ Sample chapters] [http://www2.linuxjournal.com/lj-issues/issue66/3541.html Review of first edition by Phil Hughes in Linux Journal]


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/getpage.html?project=harms&filename=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 in Python to true beginners. 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

0596001894, O'Reilly & Associates, 75 pages (November, 2001)

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


Python Standard Library

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/zone/librarybook-index.htm Electronic edition]


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

0130410659, 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 How to Program

0130923613, 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]


Text Processing in Python

The free text is available at:

[http://gnosis.cx/TPiP/]

Buy the dead-trees version at:

[http://tinyurl.com/jskh]


Python Programming for the absolute beginner

1592000738 Premier Press, 456 pages (2003)

Simple intro accessible for middle school age and up. Very hands-on and fun.

[http://www.premierpressbooks.com/ptr_detail.cfm?group=Programming&isbn=1%2D59200%2D073%2D8 Publisher's page]


A Byte of Python

[http://www.byteofpython.info/]

A Byte of Python is a book on programming using the Python language. It serves as a tutorial or guide to the Python language for anyone. If all you know is how to save text files, then you can learn Python using this book. If you are an expert programmer who loves C, Perl, Java or C#, you can also learn Python using this book.

This book can be read online or downloaded from [http://www.python.g2swaroop.net/ Python.g2swaroop.net].


Practical Python

1590590066, 619 pages, APress (August 2002)

The first half of this book introduces the Python language, and the second half demonstrates its usage in various practical projects such as "automated document conversion, newsgroup administration, graphical PDF document generation, remote document maintenance, the creation of a peer-to-peer system with XML-RPC, database integration, and GUI and game development."

[http://www.apress.com/book/bookDisplay.html?bID=93 Publisher's page]

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