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Learn Python 3 the Hard Way: A Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World of Computers and Code (Zed Shaw's Hard Way Series) 4th Edition

by Zed Shaw (Author)

4.4 1,013 ratings

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You Will Learn Python 3!

Zed Shaw has perfected the world’s best system for learning Python 3. Follow it and you will succeed—just like the millions of beginners Zed has taught to date! You bring the discipline, commitment, and persistence; the author supplies everything else.

In Learn Python 3 the Hard Way, you’ll learn Python by working through 52 brilliantly crafted exercises. Read them. Type their code precisely. (No copying and pasting!) Fix your mistakes. Watch the programs run. As you do, you’ll learn how a computer works; what good programs look like; and how to read, write, and think about code. Zed then teaches you even more in 5+ hours of video where he shows you how to break, fix, and debug your code—live, as he’s doing the exercises.

Install a complete Python environment
Organize and write code
Fix and break code
Basic mathematics
Variables
Strings and text
Interact with users
Work with files
Looping and logic
Data structures using lists and dictionaries
Program design
Object-oriented programming
Inheritance and composition
Modules, classes, and objects
Python packaging
Automated testing
Basic game development
Basic web development

It’ll be hard at first. But soon, you’ll just get it—and that will feel great! This course will reward you for every minute you put into it. Soon, you’ll know one of the world’s most powerful, popular programming languages. You’ll be a Python programmer.

This Book Is Perfect For

Total beginners with zero programming experience
Junior developers who know one or two languages
Returning professionals who haven’t written code in years
Seasoned professionals looking for a fast, simple, crash course in Python 3

.

About the Author

Zed A. Shaw is the author of the popular online books Learn Python the Hard Way, Learn Ruby the Hard Way, and Learn C the Hard Way. He is also the creator of several open source software projects and has been programming and writing for nearly 20 years. Most of his free time is devoted to the study of painting and art history.

ISBN-10

0134692888
ISBN-13

978-0134692883
Edition

4th
Publication date

June 27, 2017
Language

English
Dimensions

7 x 0.73 x 9.13 inches
Print length

320 pages
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From the Publisher

Benefits of Learning "The Hard Way"


No experience required - learn through exercises The title says it’s the hard way to learn to write code, but it’s actually not. It’s only the “hard” way because it uses a technique called instruction. Instruction is where Zed tells you to do a sequence of controlled exercises designed to build a skill through repetition. This technique works very well with beginners who know nothing and need to acquire basic skills before they can understand more complex topics. It’s used in everything from martial arts to music to even basic math and reading skills.	Video screen casts You will have access to online video screen casts for every exercise. These videos demonstrate how the code works and, most importantly, how to break it. They are the perfect place to demonstrate many common errors by breaking the Python code on purpose and showing you how to fix it. Shaw also walks through the code using debugging and interrogation tricks and techniques. The videos are where Zed shows you how to “stop staring and ask” the code what’s wrong.	The hard way is...easier This book instructs you in Python by slowly building and establishing skills through techniques such as practice and memorization, then applying them to increasingly difficult problems. By the end of the book you will have the tools needed to begin learning more complex programming topics. Zed likes to tell people that the book gives you your “programming black belt.” What this means is that you know the basics well enough to now start learning programming.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Addison-Wesley Professional; 4th edition (June 27, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0134692888
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0134692883
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.73 x 9.13 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #75,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12 in Computer Programming Languages
- #80 in Python Programming
- #1,058 in Unknown

Customer Reviews:
4.4 1,013 ratings

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Zed Shaw

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Zed Shaw is an avid guitar player, programmer, and writer whose books teach people all over the world how to write software. His book Learn Python the Hard Way has been read by millions of people around the world. His software has been used by many large and small companies. His essays are often quoted and read by members of many geek communities. He is an entertaining and lively writer, who is sure to keep you laughing and make you think.

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Mark Thompson

Darn good book to introduce Python 3

Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023

Verified Purchase

While I have been a programmer of Fortran IV, Assembly Language, C, and some BASH script writing, I could not follow Python which is a "Structured" programing language. I tried a few online courses but I like books, so I ordered this book and I read it first, then I started over but this time started to write a few of the examples. The examples are pretty good and I started to understand the syntax and how to read Python. While this book is not all encompassing, it allowed me to make sense of commands I could look up on the internet. There was one area I thought was lacking, the explanation of 'classes'. It was a topic covered in the book but for myself, I couldn't comprehend was was being said. This is where having an in-person instruction would have helped me out.

Overall this is a very good book and I feel it was worth the $30 bucks I spent on it.

Helpful

Philip M. Mccartney

LP3THW - Better Than Any Tutorial I've Tried

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

I've tried multiple tutorials from multiple sources (Udemy, Lynda, Tuts+, Codecademy, YouTube, etc.), but none of them compare to the LP3THW method. You'll get your hands dirty right away by diving straight into the exercises from the very beginning. You're not bogged down with a ton of theory up front. Instead the theory is gradually revealed as you progress through each exercise. Unfortunately there is one down side, if you want the accompanying videos, you will still need to purchase directly from his website. The Kindle version doesn't provide access to any of the online videos. I know many reviewers wrote negative reviews because of this, but it's how Zed has things set up. When you purchase LP3THW directly from Zed's website, you will be able to get any and all updates related to that purchase, including any new videos. And for those who seem to think Zed has a bad attitude when it comes to teaching, they fail to understand that he clearly states in one of his lessons, it's his goal to ensure that his students can move forward into a PROGRAMMING environment without the need of his ongoing help. I mean, that is the whole point of learning to program, isn't it?

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Adina B.

At the beginning of the book I was amazed at how much fun I has having...

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2018

Verified Purchase

Before buying this book I heard about LPTHW and the "controversy" around...
but obviously this is the internet and everyone is entitled say whatever they want so I didnt took them seriously.

Before reading this book, I've read some C++ concepts in the past (couples of years before) but they were simple as: types, functions, statements.. so nothing complicated, but I went thru this book with a tiny bit of knowledge..

At the beginning of the book I was amazed at how much fun I has having and how much better I was starting to understand those concepts (that I was already familiar with).
The way the book is structured its extremely good: making your hands dirty immediately it's really the right thing to do for a beginner.

It may be obvious for some one but wasn't for me, the fact that you should type everything you see and make it work on your own, and then read and check what is happening. Then type again and again and eventually, even if you don't REALLY understand the DEEPER MEANING of everything, you are still a step further to getting closer.

So everything was going fine and I was eager to go to the next lesson...

Till chapter 43 when he introduces the Class/Object..
I honestly went back on it a couple of times but every time I felt that there was something different... somethings has changed from before... there was no more fun, no more understanding.. but just: DO IT AS I DO AND SHUT UP.
There was little room for exploration as he presented a semi-empty script with empty classes that you should fill as he would... oh and yea he just introduced you to what a class is like.. so good luck with that.
You pass from ITS A, HAS A type of explanation to complete an already started script of several different classes with subclasses and inherits.. wtf? I've felt like I jumped 2 chapters...
It was challenging? absolutely but it wasn't fun... it wasn't discovering new things... it was desperation of trying to solve this exercises because you know that classes are an important topic...

And from there, it just got worst...

At chapter 47 you are introduced to an another fundamental topic: TESTS.
So as usual you start typing and typing and installing modules, you will get excited of all of this new stuff you will learn about... but you will be WRONG... because as soon as you finish he says:
GO ON INTERNET AND FIND OUT HOW TO USE AND INSTALL EVERYTHING YOU JUST DID.....
W.T.F... it took me a day to find out in the nose manual that their syntax was the same as unittest but just spelled with the format snake_case...
As a beginner, and as I have never seen what an test/assert_equal is, I WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED A BIT OF EXPLANATION before sending me online..
I had to go online and search for OTHER people tutorial about something that I was suppose to learn in this book... WTF AGAIN...

And from here honestly I just lost interest... he doesn't show anymore the "what you should" see section so you are left on your own... If you don't understand: too bad... If you do understand but misunderstand also too bad... For me was harder trying to understand what HE will have me to do rather than the code itself...

At the end of the book you will do automatic tests of his text game and deploy it online so he introduces some HTML concepts but honestly I just didn't care anymore and never finished.. and here brings me the major flaw about zed in my opinion.

He states at the beginning that he doesn't want you to teach everything, but he wants you to be autonomous and be able to understand what to search bla bla... Ok! its a good mentality! But there is a problem.. programming concepts are so deep and so many (even for a subject alone).. that you NEED at least something information to start and only then LEAVE THE REST TO YOU if you want more info...
Again: if I have to leave the beginner's book to search other tutorials for beginners to understand what has written in my beginner's book... I think that the book failed to do part of his job...

I then IMMEDIATELY went to PYTHON CRASH COURSE and things just pop out like flowers in spring... and it was because of how zed open my view of how to take a programming book..

So I recommend this book even despite the BIG disappointment of the last chapters, because I truly think that this book teaches you the discipline that you will absolutely need to start every other book.. but be aware you will not become a expert programmer after just this book... buy this together with PYTHON CRASH COURSE and think of them as one lesson.. typing (LPTHW) and understanding (PCC)

215 people found this helpful

Helpful

Steve Smith

no shortcuts

Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2022

Verified Purchase

Look, I’m not a software engineer by training or profession or inclination. I spent the last 2 decades listening to prospects, helping solve their problems, and building sales programs for tech startups. I’m a progressional seller. I’m a 42-year old white guy from New England with 3 dogs, a bunch of hobbies and a high maintenance relationship. I learned Python typing out my lpthw exercises in my spare time.

If you’re asking me: check. It’s worth it.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

mm

This has to be your first Python book and it is THE book from which to start learning Python.

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018

Verified Purchase

If you are learning Python 3, THIS IS THE BOOK TO GET FIRST.

"Learn Python 3 the Hard Way" is THE book to get first if you are learning Python. It is organized into exercise chapters that take you through a hands-on experience in learning Python (one of the fastest growing programming languages at the moment). This is not a book that you will read. it is a book you will work through. Zed Shaw takes you through 52 exercises that will teach you everything from writing your first program (the classic "Hello, World!" program) up through lists, dictionaries, loops, and so on. By the time you finish the 52 exercises, you will have a solid foundation for learning more about Python.

Of all of my books that I am asked to lend in my Python Meet-up group, this is the most popular by far.

23 people found this helpful

Helpful

Philippe Dhawan

Good for the basics but looses it when it comes to object oriented programming

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024

Verified Purchase

Good for the basics only. Stop after that.

Does a horrible job trying to explain objects. Tries to get you to create a game for your first OO project. More typing than is necessary. Doesn't explain it very well. Go to YouTube and other sources to fill in the gaps. Does not explain automated testing either. Some of the utilities are deprecated.

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2023

Verified Purchase

Item arrived promptly and in very good condition. Thank you!

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2022

Verified Purchase

This book throws you into writing Python with out a lot of flowery wording. Straightforward instructions and examples. No confusing information a must have book for learning python.

One person found this helpful

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CHARLES L L DUARTE

Este é o verdadeiro jeito “Hard” de aprender Python!

Reviewed in Brazil on March 19, 2022

Verified Purchase

A concepção do author em colocar linhas de códigos que você ao repetí-las vai num crescendo de dificuldades que tornam o aprendizado efetivo.

One person found this helpful

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Cbhospi

Me encanta

Reviewed in Spain on January 27, 2024

Verified Purchase

Es el mejor libro para aprender Python.

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Stevinski

Excellant study material that comes with lectures at a reasonable price.

Reviewed in Canada on February 8, 2021

Verified Purchase

Throughout this textbook Zed Shaw takes a very methodical way of explaining python programming. This textbook is the first of the authors two books on python 3.

This textbook contains 52 exercises of python scripts. There are accompanying lectures for each.
To get the accompanying lectures, you first must register this book at https://www.informit.com/ as outlined in the preface of the text.

This textbook takes a more hands on approach and forces you to type it out and debug the code. Learning through this book is the harder way but once you do it you understand it more by experience.

if you have any questions or concerns about this text on your journey you can email the author and he can give you guidance at help@learncodethehardway.org.

This textbook is the same as Learn Python The Hard Way but for the python 3 interpreter.

I accidentally started studying Learn python The Hard way for the python 2 interpreter using the python 3 interpreter and I have been looking this text for reference when im stuck.

I am very impressed by his first book so this text should only be an improvement.

I would recommend this as the first book to anyone looking to learn python programming.

Quick outlay of his textbooks:
Learn Python The Hard Way - textbook for the older python 2 interpreter that comes with lectures on dvd
Learn Python 3 the Hard Way - Same as "Learn Python The Hard way" but revised for python3
Learn More Python 3 the hard way - The sequel to "Learn Python 3 the Hard Way" that comes with accompanying lectures once you register it.

One person found this helpful

Manuel Alejandro Mijangos González

Buen libro

Reviewed in Mexico on August 4, 2019

Verified Purchase

Me gustó que tiene muchos ejercicios para practicar y cubre muchas cosas básicas, está muy bien para principiantes

One person found this helpful

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Bridget Kelly

Brilliant for Beginners, and an Intermediate Refesher

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2020

Verified Purchase

I originally purchased this book for a senior developer who wanted to go from Java to Python to keep his skills updated. When I got the book I had a quick flick through and I knew I would need to purchase it myself. I'm a full stack developer myself and last year I came over to backend and started learning Python, then jumped straight onto Django (advanced, got pretty good at it) but I found that when it came to writing some functions, classes I was still struggling as I didn't understand partly the logic and words like 'args' and 'kwargs' , functions how to write them, let alone the ruling of what if , else statements, as it wasn't explained online very well, no matter what course or tutorial I took, other issue was what version had I been learning Python in? Was it 2/3 god knows, no one ever wrote down the version.. hence why some of my code wouldn't work and left me in a confused sense of thought.

This book since reading it yesterday i've been able to jump back onto my Django / Python projects with a new found confidence, it now makes a lot more sense and has given me a real good fresher and understanding on the fundamentals. The author is brilliant and I really do look forward to purchasing more of these books as he makes it quite funny to learn python, and the coding examples are brilliant. The questions are also brilliant, explains these in a human readable context, very much in the way is wysiwyg.

Highly Recommend this book to any beginner, or any mid level developer who needs a refresh. I look forward to seeing more advanced books now from this author.

7 people found this helpful

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