Python for Dummies^®

Stef Maruch and Aahz Maruch

ISBN: 0-471-77864-8
Pages: 432 Pages
Pub. Date: September 14, 2006
Publisher: For Dummies^®

Welcome to the companion web site for Python for Dummies^®!

What is Python for Dummies?

Python for Dummies is an introduction to Python, the powerful, easy-to-use open-source programming language developed by Guido van Rossum.

Who should read Python for Dummies?

You should read Python for Dummies if:

• You are a beginning programmer and you want to learn an easy, powerful, and increasingly popular programming language
• You have some experience programming in another computer language, and you want to find out what Python is capable of and get up to speed quickly

Download code samples for the book

(14K Zip archive) Python_FD_code_samples.zip

Buy the book

You can use Booksense to find an independent bookstore where you can buy Python for Dummies. (Our favorite local bookstore is Kepler's in Menlo Park, California. Here is the page for our book at Kepler's.)

Other web sites where you can buy or find out more about Python for Dummies:

• Python for Dummies at Amazon.com
• Python for Dummies at dummies.com
• Python for Dummies at Wiley

Table of contents

• Part I: Getting Started
  • Chapter 1: Introducing Python
  • Chapter 2: Getting Your Hands on the Keyboard: Using Help, Interactive Mode, and IDLE
  • Chapter 3: Basic Elements and Syntax
  • Chapter 4: Grand Tour of the Python Language
  • Chapter 5: Working Like a Programmer
• Part II: Building Blocks
  • Chapter 6: So This String Walks into a Bar
  • Chapter 7: Counting Your Way to Fun and Profit
  • Chapter 8: Processing Lists and Tuples
  • Chapter 9: Diving into Dictionaries
• Part III: Structures
  • Chapter 10: Staying in Control
  • Chapter 11: Fun with Functions
  • Chapter 12: Building Applications with Modules and Packages
  • Chapter 13: Getting Classy
  • Chapter 14: Introducing New-Style Classes
  • Chapter 15: Feeling Exceptional
  • Chapter 16: Tackling Some Advanced Features
• Part IV: Libraries
  • Chapter 17: Using Python's Primary Services
  • Chapter 18: Processing Text
  • Chapter 19: Digging into Disk Data
  • Chapter 20: Accessing the Internet
• Part V: The Part of Tens
  • Chapter 21: Ten Critical Python Idioms
  • Chapter 22: Ten Great Resources
• Part VI: Appendixes
  • Appendix A: Getting and Installing Python
  • Appendix B: Python Version Differences

Who are Stef Maruch and Aahz Maruch?

Stef Maruch got her hands on an original 128K Mac in 1984 and has been writing about computers ever since. She has over fifteen years' experience in instructional design, writing, and editing end-user computer manuals, including tutorials and user's guides for Apple Newton, HyperCard and HyperTalk, and DVD Studio Pro. Visit Stef's home page.

Aahz Maruch is a writer, trainer, and consultant who has been using Python for more than seven years. He has been using computers professionally for 20 years, and his background includes stints of high-end tech support, systems administration, and programming. Aahz is currently working as a programmer for a company with a Web-based application. Visit Aahz's Python Page.

The authors can be reached at:
authors at pythonfood dot com