[Tutor] 2nd Python Book

[Alan Gauld]

> I have seen recommendations for a first Python book,
> ie Alan Guald's Learn to Program Using Python,

Thanks for the plug :-)

> I was glancing through Deitel & Deitel's How to Program Python, and
it looks
> very thorough. Are their any opinions about this book specifically.

HTPP is a good "advanced intro". It covers a huge amount of
ground but, in my opinion, stops just short of being useful
in any of them. It gives a taster in loys of things but if
you venture out on your own you'll find yourself struggling
I suspect.

Lutz's Programming Python 2nd ed is less broad but much more
detailed in the areas it covers and would be my choice for
a general book. However really I'd suggest picking a subject
area and buying a book for that - Win32 programming,
Tkinter, Web/XML, Database(MySQL say), Text processing etc.

There are specialist books on each of these areas.

Plus of course one of the must have references: Either
"Python in a Nutshell" or "Python Essential reference".

The Nutshell is the most recent but both are good, I
have both!

Alan G
Author of the Learn to Program web tutor
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld