Python Pocket Reference, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Mark Lutz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0596001894 | ISBN-13: 978-0596001896 | Publication Date: November 15, 2001 | Edition: 2nd

Python is optimized for quality, productivity, portability, and integration. Hundreds of thousands of Python developers around the world rely on Python for Internet scripting, systems programming, user interfaces, and product customization. Python is available on all major computing platforms, including commercial versions of Unix, Linux, Windows, and Mac OS. It's portable, powerful, and remarkably easy to use. It's also an interpreted language, designed for rapid application development and deployment.

Python Pocket Reference, 2nd Edition is a companion volume to two O'Reilly Animal Guides, Programming Python, 2nd Edition and Learning Python. It summarizes Python statements and types, built-in functions, commonly used library modules, and other prominent Python language features. This pocket reference covers the latest Python release 2.2, and provides quick access to just what you're looking for. It is a short, concise reference for the most commonly used libraries and tools. The new edition also includes new summary material for Python's GUI, Internet, and database programming tools. The author, Mark Lutz, is a Python luminary-who has been on the Python scene since its inception.

Editorial Reviews

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: 100 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 2nd edition (November 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596001894
• ISBN-13: 978-0596001896
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,721,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Object achieved, June 26, 2005

By 

C. M. Lowry (Columbia JUG, Columbia, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Python Pocket Reference (Pocket Reference (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

While this is not the tool for learning Python, it is a valuable reference. It is amazing how much information that is packed into this small format. Toss it into your laptop bag for a quick reference, particularly since the third edition contains an index and covers Python 2.4.

With so many useful applications using Python as a macro language (e.g. Testmaker), this handy reference will earn its keep. I wonder if O'Reilly has a Ruby on the way, since they have mastered the format.

Of course, there is always the online documentation, if you are online.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference - now with an index!, November 21, 2007

By 

J. A. Rodriguez (Queretaro, Mexico) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Python Pocket Reference (Pocket Reference (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

I read various reviews complaining about the lack of an index. Well, it does have one now and it complements perfectly what is a fantastic quick reference for many of your Python needs, from built-in modules to regular expressions. Of course, it does not include the formal grammar of the language, a complete reference of libraries available or anything other than quick pointers for someone who already knows what Python is but is not a guru yet (although anyone can forget how to open a file from time to time).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Meets its goals, September 24, 2007

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Python Pocket Reference (Pocket Reference (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

This is a great book for anyone who uses Python, especially for programmers at that level of Python competence after the beginner stage but short of a master's fluency. It provides a brief but clearly organized summary of Python basics: the language, primitive data structures, printf and other control codes, and the basic, everyday subset of the support libraries. And, since the editors apparently listened to criticism of earlier editions, the third editions includes a useful index as well as table of contents.

Some readers will be disappointed that it's not the book that it never meant to be. It never meant to be a tutorial or text book, it never meant to be a full specification of the language and libraries, and it never meant to be an encyclopedic description of the many available libraries. Decide what you want: if that's a quick reminder of Python's most useful basics, then this book will meet your needs.

-- wiredweird