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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.


Core Python Programming

ISBN: 0132269937 (2nd ed.); 0130260363 (1st ed.)

Prentice Hall PTR / Pearson Education

~1000 pages (August 2006); 810 pages (December 2000)

40% introduction + 40% advanced + 20% reference book

Learning the syntax is easy... you don't even need a book. Being able to complete a project in Python is the next step. Being given insight on how Python's objects and memory management work under the covers, in a combination with learning the basics, is how you can become an effective Python programmer as quickly as possible, one of the key goals of CPP. A plethora of easy and internediate exercises can be found at the end of every chapter to hammer the concepts home. Look for the expanded and updated 2nd edition of this well-received textbook late Summer 2006!

[http://corepython.com Home Page] (includes book reviews, errata, sample chapter, links to alternate editions, source code from the book, and more!)


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 Python.

[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 (Third Edition)

0596009402, O'Reilly & Associates, 160 pages (February, 2005)

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 Patterns Thomas Christopher

Prentice-Hall, 2001

ISBN: 0130409561

There's a [http://www.informit.com/articles/printerfriendly.asp?p=28672&rl=1 sample chapter] at informIT

Reviews: [http://www.accu.org/bookreviews/public/reviews/p/p003210.htm ACCU review] by Francis Glasborow; one of several books in Mertz's [http://gnosis.cx/publish/programming/charming_python_b8.html book roundup #3]


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

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.byteofpython.info/]


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." A new edition of this book is available under the title Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional.

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


Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional

1-59059-519-x, 640 pages, APress (September 2005)

This is an update of Practical Python.

[http://www.apress.com/book/bookDisplay.html?bID=10013 Publisher's page]


Computer Programming is Fun!

208 pages, Handy Software and Publishing (April 2005)

Written by a homeschooling Dad for teenage youth, this introductory computer programming book is for people who have no prior programming experience. Teaches the basic principles of programming using Python, with lots of examples. Small video game project at the end. Good for self-study or classroom use.

[http://www.handysoftware.com/cpif/]


Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures

1590280539, Franklin Beedle & Associates, December 2005

This is a textbook for a CS2 Data Structures Course.

[http://knuth.luther.edu/~bmiller/python.html Home Page]


Python First: Introduction to Computing with Python

Atanas Radenski

The 'Python First' digital pack provides a gentle introduction to computer science. It is more than a book: Ten self-contained online chapters consist of e-texts (66,000 words), 730 slides, 62 labs (36,000 words), 58 sample programs, and 10 quizzes (280 questions). The 'Python First' pack includes a wealth of detailed self-guided labs that students can complete on their own. Ready-to-use, yet customizable packs for specific courses are created and hosted at [http://studypack.com/ StudyPack.com]. Your packs can be accessed directly or through links from your school site. With 'Python First', you do not need a paper textbook.

[http://studypack.com/ http://studypack.com/]

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