Programming Python, Second Edition with CD [Paperback]

Mark Lutz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0596000855 | ISBN-13: 978-0596000851 | Publication Date: March 2001 | Edition: Second Edition

Programming Python focuses on advanced uses of the Python programming/scripting language, which has evolved from an emerging language of interest primarily to pioneers, to a widely accepted tool that traditional programmers use for real day-to-day development tasks. With Python, you can do almost anything you can do with C++; but Python is an interpreted language designed for rapid application development and deployment. Among other things, Python supports object-oriented programming; a remarkably simple, readable, and maintainable syntax; integration with C components; and a vast collection of pre-coded interfaces and utilities.

As Python has grown to embrace developers on a number of different platforms (Unix, Linux, Windows, Mac), companies have taken notice and are adopting Python for their products. It has shown up animating the latest Star Wars movie, serving up maps and directories on the Internet, guiding users through Linux installations, testing chips and boards, managing Internet discussion forums, scripting online games, and even scripting wireless products.

Programming Python is the most comprehensive resource for advanced Python programmers available today. Reviewed and endorsed by Python creator Guido van Rossum, who also provides the foreword, this book zeroes in on real-world Python applications. It's been updated for Python 2.0 and covers Internet scripting, systems programming, Tkinter GUIs, C integration domains, and new Python tools and applications. Among them: IDLE, JYthon, Active Scripting and COM extensions, Zope, PSP server pages, restricted execution mode, the HTMLgen and SWIG code generators, thread support, CGI and Internet protocol modules. Such applications are the heart and soul of this second edition.

Veteran O'Reilly author Mark Lutz has included a platform-neutral CD-ROM with book examples and various Python-related packages, including the full Python 2.0 source code distribution.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Completely revised and improved, the second edition of Programming Python is an excellent compendium of material geared toward the more knowledgeable Python developer. It includes dozens of reusable scripts for common scripting tasks, and is one of the best available sources of information for this popular object-oriented scripting language.

In over 1,200 pages of material, this book offers an extremely comprehensive guide to Python development. Though his book is densely packed with information, Mark Lutz is a lively and witty writer whose focus is on getting things done using the natural strengths of the Python language. To that end, after an introduction and history of the language, the book shows how to use Python for performing automated tasks with files and directories (for example, for doing backups both locally and on Web servers). Not only will this book teach you more about Python, but it will also give you a library of code that you can use as is or adapt for your own projects.

The text covers every conceivable facet of Python and the language's support for networking, files and directories, task management, and even persistence (through its support for shelves). Complete Python programs show how to create e-mail clients, do reporting, and create Web applications (for an online errata database). Chapters on doing graphics programming in Python, as well as coverage of both built-in and custom data structures, are especially good. Because Python is often used for automating installations (in some Linux distributions, for instance), readers will appreciate the sample code and tips for using Python to create bulletproof installs.

Later sections show how get Python to work with C, Java (through JPython), and other languages. The book concludes with useful reference sections summarizing key aspects of Python, like its revision history, relationship to C++, and other material. There aren't many titles on Python, and fans of this up-and-coming language are lucky to have such a solid tutorial and guide available in Programming Python. Perfect for those with just a little previous exposure to the language, it's all you need to master Python in-depth and tap its considerable power for virtually any software project. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered:

• Introduction to Python
• Basic system scripts with Python (including file and directory tools)
• Working with processes and threads
• Pipes and signals
• Sample scripts for system and Web utilities (including backing up files, program launching, replicating and managing directories)
• Graphical user interface design in Python (including the Tkinter module)
• Widgets and basic components
• Layout options
• Event handling
• GUI examples (including a working text editor, image viewer, and clock)
• Network scripting (sockets, FTP, and e-mail clients)
• Server-side scripting
• Sample server scripts for an online errata database
• Python on the Internet (including Zope, JPython, and XML tools)
• Databases and persistence in Python (including pickled objects and shelf files)
• Custom and built-in data structures in Python
• Text and string handling
• C integration with Python (including the SWIG module)
• Embedding Python calls within C
• Hints for using Python in real projects
• Reference to recent changes to Python
• Python vs. C++ quick-start guide

About the Author

Mark Lutz is an independent Python trainer, writer, and software developer, and is one of the primary figures in the Python community. He is the author of the O'Reilly books Programming Python and Python Pocket Reference (both in 2nd Editions), and co-author of Learning Python (both in 2nd Editions). Mark has been involved with Python since 1992, began teaching Python classes in 1997, and has instructed over 90 Python training sessions as of early 2003. In addition, he holds BS and MS degrees in computer science from the University of Wisconsin, and over the last two decades has worked on compilers, programming tools, scripting applications, and assorted client/server systems. Whenever Mark gets a break from spreading the Python word, he leads an ordinary, average life with his kids in Colorado. Mark can be reached by email at , or on the web at http://www.rmi.net/~lutz.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1292 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; Second Edition edition (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596000855
• ISBN-13: 978-0596000851
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,311,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 1st Edition was Better - Stay Away, March 13, 2010

By 

Israel Smith "Izzy" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Programming Python, Second Edition with CD (Paperback)

I am aware that there is now a 3rd edition (Programming Python) out now of this series, but I cannot in good conscience not comment about the problem with this particular edition.

I own the first and second editions. I heartily recommend the 1st over the 2nd. In fact, the 2nd edition is actually missing material from the first - even though the 2nd is ALMOST TWICE THE SIZE of the first.

This is the worst part.. the best reason to even own the 1st edition (the only reason basically IMHO) is a section near the back of the book. And get this.. thats the only part they took out for the second edition.

Thats right, they added a bunch of useless text, and gutted the only thing that made the first edition of any value.

I have both on my bookshelf, the 2nd edition is in perfect condition and collects dust. The 1st is worn from use. Take from that what you will.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but needs updating, December 21, 2008

By 

D. Rosario "linuxrules" (Staten Island, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Programming Python, Second Edition with CD (Paperback)

I can't really complain about the book, except that newer 2.5+ libraries are not covered (e.g. the "subprocess" module"). It isn't meant to be comprehensive in the sense that you won't learn everything, but it covers enough for one to become a good python programmer.