Programming in Python 3: A Complete Introduction to the Python Language (Developer's Library)

This book is meant for the serious programmer in Python 3.X You can follow the readings and examples very well. It is well-thought out in terms of topic ordering. I use this in my graduate course in Python. While one must read a fair amount of text, there is very little that I would call extraneous material. The margin notes are helpful. Collecting methods and other material into tables is very helpful. The audience for this book is either the professional programmer or scientists & engineers that must do programming as part of their work. It is a help to educators, too.

Mark Summerfield's text: "Programming in Python 3" is a very good introduction to the Python programming language for people with prior programming experiance in another language. I came to Python from MatLab and prior to that, C and Fortan. So I'm pleased with the book and find myself refering back to it quite often. Having said that, this is not a "For Dummies" type book. Familiarity with with directory structure, file handling, and command prompt (console) operation is assumed. The book covers all of the built in types and programming constructs of the Python language. It also introduces some of the useful (batteries included) standard library functinality along with details for working with modules and packages. Finally, as I'm working my way into the middle of the book, I'm finding that it's a good introduction to object-oriented (OO) programming concepts and techniques in the clean syntax of the Python language. The OO concepts are not obfuscated by a language that is too criptic or too messy. Since this is about where I'm at on my own learning curve, the book is proving quite useful.

This book was exactly what I was looking for. I am a developer, working mostly in C++ and C#, with an engineering background that includes experience with FORTRAN, VB, MATLAB, etc. I noticed a job that interested me, for which knowledge of C++ and Python were needed, so I was looking for a Python book that was reader-friendly, but not an absolute beginner book. I strongly recommend this book. The writing is very clear, with tons of code examples. There is a clear and thorough explanation after every code snippet, just in case you can't figure what the heck is going on. But it's not a 'lightweight.' The book is 600 pages and is packed with information, so it can serve as a useful reference.for a ton of topics. However, it's also very approachable, if you just want to read it systematically from start to finish.

Python is a large language. Any attempt to put it all in one book will fail. Any author writing an introductory book on python has to make choices. This author did a poor job in making those choices. For example, in Chapter 2, he goes detail on string formats and variable replacement which should be in later chapter or omitted all together. Also, there is much tortured prose in book surrounding what is included and what is not. I really feel for Mark Summerfield. You can tell these decisions killed him. I liked the code examples. The explanations are clear if overly complete. So why only 3 stars? I almost gave it 4 stars, but I looked down and book sitting next to my computer which I refer to daily (I am not that adept at python yet), is Beazley's Python Essential Reference. Ultimately, Beazley did a better job choosing what to include and what to omit.

Nothing to dislike. It covers almost everything and does a very good job on most subjects.

Good condition all around, clear, good binding.

Much more of an intermediate book, but it was good to see the complex examples. Not for beginners imo

Learning quite a bit.

It's a very good book. Sometimes a bit confusing: you don't have to know programming to start reading, but it's strong recommended to fully understand author's aim. This book is complete since covering all python 3 features! 4 stars.

Une mine de conseils pour écrire du code performant et solide. Je m'y réfère chaque fois que je m'apprête à développer un nouveau module.

This is a very good book for learning Python. Some very challenging and interesting examples are spread throughout the book and it is a book worth having on your study table when you are programming. Some of the most difficult topics are explained in a very simple language.Worth a buy.

A very good introduction to Python 3 if you have basic knowledge of some other programming language. Covers everything needed to get to full speed in common programming tasks.

I have been reading this book from the library and it is a very good book. I just like the writing style of Mark Summerfield, which is in a narrative fashion. Unfortunately (maybe just me), this is a pirated book. This pirated book has a red triangle at the top-left of the cover. The text was originally something like "Can be sold only in some region". This one changes the text to "Best quality book". The printing is reasonably well but the paper is much thiner than the official book (have compared this with the one from library). I was a little bit surprised that I bought a pirated book from Amazon, but simply didn't want to hassle for the return. I understand this is not Amazon's fault and I still have a high trust for future online shoppinng on Amazon. Five star for the book and one star for being pirated.