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Books : reviews

Mark Lutz, David Ascher.
Learning Python.
O'Reilly. 1999

(read but not reviewed)

Alex Martelli, Anna Martelli Ravenscroft, David Ascher.
Python Cookbook: 2nd edn.
O'Reilly. 2005

Python is well-known as a robust and elegant language, with support for both functional and object-oriented programming styles. When you choose to use Python, however, you get more than just a language—you also become part of an incredibly enthusiastic and supportive community of Python programmers who reach out to help each other learn and grow in their use of the language. Python Cookbook, 2nd Edition is just one tangible manifestation of that Python community. In it, you’ll find practical solutions to many common Python programming problems. These solutions come from the community, from Python programmers who for many years have contributed to the online Python Cookbook hosted by ActiveState at http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Cookbook/Python. These are battle-tested solutions; contributed, reviewed, enhanced, and now brought together in book form.

Here is just a sampling of the many topic areas covered by the more than 300 recipes in this book:

• Searching and sorting
• Web programming
• Manipulating text
• Network programming
• Working with files
• Processing XML
• Object-oriented programming
• Distributed programming
• Multithreaded programming
• Debugging and testing
• System administration
• Metaprogramming

Solutions in this book are organized by topic area. All of the chapters begin with introductions written by well-known Python luminaries such as: Facundo Batista, David Beazley, Donn Cave, Fred L. Drake, Jr., Paul F. Dubois, Mark Hammond, Raymond Hettinger, Jeremy Hylton, Fredrik Lundh, Mark Lutz, Andy McKay, Gustavo Niemeyer, Tim Peters, Paul Prescod, Aaron Watters, and Greg Wilson.

This book is a treasure trove of useful code for all Python programmers, from novices to advanced practitioners. It’s a gift, from the community to you. By purchasing this book, you are also giving back to the community: 25 percent of all royalties from this book are donated to the Python Software Foundation.

Covers Python 2.3 and 2.4