[Tutor] Python books: buying advice needed

[w chun]

On 10/18/05, Kent Johnson <kent37 at tds.net> wrote:
> David Stotijn wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm planning on buying a book to help me learn Python. Some of the books
> > I'm considering are a few years old and based on an older version of
> > Python (e.g. 2.3).
> > Is it wise to buy a book based on an older version? Are the principles
> > and methods used in those books outdated by now?
>
> 2.3 is not that old. The basics of Python change slowly, especially the beginner-level stuff. The later versions introduce refinements, convenience features and new, advanced stuff; they don't generally break much or change the overall 'feel' of Python. I don't know if there are any books out yet that cover 2.4.
>
> > Ideally, the book I'm looking for has some "best practice" guidelines
> > and alot of example code.
> >
> > Do you have any tips?
>
> I like _Learning Python_


david,

as others have said, for beginners, the version of Python that's used
has less impact than for more advanced users.  look for any book that
focuses on teaching you the language rather than just being a tutorial
for the features in the latest releases.

if you are completely new to programming, as many are here, then the
recommendation for Dawson's Python for the Absolute Beginner seems to
be a very popular choice.  i recently picked up the book to evaluate
to use as the textbook for my intro to programming class, but haven't
had a chance to really go through it yet.  it seems to have surpassed
the popular Learn to Program Using Python by Alan Gauld, which is
slightly dated but also a good choice.
there is also the How to Think like a Computer Scientist series, which
aims at teaching programming to high schoolers, and is available for a
number of languages: Python, Java, C++, and Logo... see
http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCS

Dawson's book targets games.  there are other intro to programming
books on my shelf with alternative targets:  Python Programming by
John Zelle is gearsed towards learning Computer Science as an
undergraduate, and Mark Guzdial's Intro to Computing and Programming
in Python has a graphics/multimedia approach.  and on the side, i'd
recommend Chris Fehily's Python visual quickstart guide because it has
lots of pictures and serves as a good reference for a beginner.

books such as Learning Python and Core Python Programming are geared
towards those who already know how to program.  some have noted that
Learning Python targets C programmers more than others, but Core
Python doesn't assume anything other than knowing at least one other
high-level language.  and i *definitely* use Core Python when teaching
my standard Python courses.  ;-)

i'd suggest taking a look through some of the titles discussed on this
thread in a bookstore if possible to see what you like, and also check
out the reviews on Amazon as well as Python book reviews online.

hope this helps!
--wesley
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Core Python Programming", Prentice Hall, (c)2006,2001
    http://corepython.com

wesley.j.chun :: wescpy-at-gmail.com
cyberweb.consulting : silicon valley, ca
http://cyberwebconsulting.com