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Ask HN: Python Programming Books

I'm looking for a modern Python book, the latest one I have on my shelf is from before the 2/3 split, and I was hoping HN would have some recommendations?

EddieLomax 4y ago
https://pythonbooks.org/ https://pythonbooks.org/
jstx1 4y ago
Effective Python is really good. You need to already know the language though, it doesn't teach it from scratch - it's more about how to use it well.
- guiambros 4y ago
  +1 to "Effective Python" [1]. It's a great book if you're already familiar with the language, and interested in learning more about Python internals. "Serious Python" [2] and "Python Distilled" [3] are two other good options for intermediate-advanced programmers. [1] https://effectivepython.com/ https://effectivepython.com/ [2] https://nostarch.com/seriouspython https://nostarch.com/seriouspython [3] http://www.dabeaz.com/python-distilled/ http://www.dabeaz.com/python-distilled/
  - culopatin 4y ago
    How much is considered “knowing python”? I use it with Django but never bothered to sit down and look at python itself to be honest. I’m just going to the docs and translating the basic syntax of other languages into what python has and it’s worked, but I may not know the tricks or whatever of the language
manifoldgeo 4y ago
If you're looking for a refresher that outlines Python language fundamentals, I recommend "Introducing Python, 2nd Edition" (2019) by Bill Lubanovic [0]. Another really cool introduction that's filled with intermediate tricks is "Python Distilled" by Dave Beazley [1] (2021). A couple of nice intermediate books: "Intuitive Python - Productive Development for Projects that Last" by David Muller [2] (2021). "Serious Python" by Julien Danjou [3] (2018). References: [0]: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/introducing-python-2nd/9781492051374/ https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/introducing-python-2nd/... [1]: http://www.dabeaz.com/python-distilled/ http://www.dabeaz.com/python-distilled/ [2]: https://pragprog.com/titles/dmpython/intuitive-python/ https://pragprog.com/titles/dmpython/intuitive-python/ [3]: https://nostarch.com/seriouspython https://nostarch.com/seriouspython
- agumonkey 4y ago
  dabeaz pycon talks are always chill and fun
procinct 4y ago
Personally a big fan of Fluent Python
mickeyp 4y ago
Not a book, but you might like my site https://www.inspiredpython.com/ https://www.inspiredpython.com/
throwaway81523 4y ago
For intermediate or advanced Python, David Beazely's books are great. I don't know of any beginning Python books as good as Learning Perl was back in the day. Python has gotten to be a confusing language and maybe not even the best choice for beginners any more though. What is the best choice then? I don't know. Each is terrible in its own way.
modelviewpotato 4y ago
Some that I've read and enjoyed: - Introducing Python, 2nd Edition by Bill Lubanovic (Beginner Level) - Python Distilled, David M. Beazley (Beginner to Intermediate Level) - Effective Python (2nd Edition), Brett Slatkin (Intermediate Level) - Fluent Python (2nd Edition), Luciano Ramalho (Advanced Level) - CPython Internals, Anthony Shaw (Advanced Level) - Architecture Patterns with Python, Harry J. W. Percival & Bob Gregory (Advanced Level)
drBonkers 4y ago
To any beginners that come across this post in the future looking for introductory Python books, I tried many. The best I found in 2021 is Paul Gries's Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python 3.6 An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python 3.6 [1]. [1] https://pragprog.com/titles/gwpy3/practical-programming-third-edition/ https://pragprog.com/titles/gwpy3/practical-programming-thir...
- ajot 4y ago
  I reccomend, as a first book, "Automate the boring stuff with Python". It may be rustic or dirty, but it gets the job done for anyone with some enthusiasm and a problem to solve. If you want to be a tidier or more pythonic programmer, or want to learn OOP, you can get that going on later.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- gpa 4y ago
  Is Python Crash Course a good choice?
haunter 4y ago
Did anyone use the MIT textbook? https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/introduction-computation-and-programming-using-python-second-edition https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/introduction-computation-and-...
- dragonwriter 4y ago
  That's an introductory CS book using Python, not a Python book. That is, it's focus is on using Python to teach general computer science, not on teaching Python. It's good at what it does, but I wouldn't recommend it if your goal is primarily learning Python.
sterlinm 4y ago
Robust Python and Python Distilled are both excellent and very recent.
varlock 4y ago
+1 on "Fluent Python" by Ramalho. I enjoyed and benefitted from the first edition so much that I'll get the second edition which is due to come out soon (Apr 29). I would say it targets intermediate developers more than beginners.
hpb42 4y ago
A beginner Python textbook, free, made by the community, in Portuguese: https://curso.grupysanca.com.br/ https://curso.grupysanca.com.br/
rasulkireev 4y ago
I'm going through two Python books right now, both of which I'm enjoying: - Python Workout: 50 ten-minute exercises. - Classic Computer Science Problems in Python. Would strongly recommend if you are looking to up your skills in Python
xuesj 4y ago
Some books I've read and think good: 1. the whirlwind tour of python 2. the Hitchhiker's guide to python 3. Writing idiomatic Python 4. Learning Python.
pepipox 4y ago
If you are already a programmer and you are looking to learn Python (not how to program) I recommend 'Dive into Python 3' https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io/ https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io/ It teaches the language and many of its subtleties. It is fairly good to learn Python and is free. It is not however, a book for beginners in programming, it is for programmers wanting to learn Python.

I'm looking for a modern Python book, the latest one I have on my shelf is from before the 2/3 split, and I was hoping HN would have some recommendations?

EddieLomax 4y ago

https://pythonbooks.org/ https://pythonbooks.org/

jstx1 4y ago

Effective Python is really good. You need to already know the language though, it doesn't teach it from scratch - it's more about how to use it well.

guiambros 4y ago
+1 to "Effective Python" [1]. It's a great book if you're already familiar with the language, and interested in learning more about Python internals. "Serious Python" [2] and "Python Distilled" [3] are two other good options for intermediate-advanced programmers. [1] https://effectivepython.com/ https://effectivepython.com/ [2] https://nostarch.com/seriouspython https://nostarch.com/seriouspython [3] http://www.dabeaz.com/python-distilled/ http://www.dabeaz.com/python-distilled/
- culopatin 4y ago
  How much is considered “knowing python”? I use it with Django but never bothered to sit down and look at python itself to be honest. I’m just going to the docs and translating the basic syntax of other languages into what python has and it’s worked, but I may not know the tricks or whatever of the language

manifoldgeo 4y ago

If you're looking for a refresher that outlines Python language fundamentals, I recommend "Introducing Python, 2nd Edition" (2019) by Bill Lubanovic [0]. Another really cool introduction that's filled with intermediate tricks is "Python Distilled" by Dave Beazley [1] (2021). A couple of nice intermediate books: "Intuitive Python - Productive Development for Projects that Last" by David Muller [2] (2021). "Serious Python" by Julien Danjou [3] (2018). References: [0]: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/introducing-python-2nd/9781492051374/ https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/introducing-python-2nd/... [1]: http://www.dabeaz.com/python-distilled/ http://www.dabeaz.com/python-distilled/ [2]: https://pragprog.com/titles/dmpython/intuitive-python/ https://pragprog.com/titles/dmpython/intuitive-python/ [3]: https://nostarch.com/seriouspython https://nostarch.com/seriouspython

agumonkey 4y ago
dabeaz pycon talks are always chill and fun

procinct 4y ago

Personally a big fan of Fluent Python

mickeyp 4y ago

Not a book, but you might like my site https://www.inspiredpython.com/ https://www.inspiredpython.com/

throwaway81523 4y ago

For intermediate or advanced Python, David Beazely's books are great. I don't know of any beginning Python books as good as Learning Perl was back in the day. Python has gotten to be a confusing language and maybe not even the best choice for beginners any more though. What is the best choice then? I don't know. Each is terrible in its own way.

modelviewpotato 4y ago

Some that I've read and enjoyed: - Introducing Python, 2nd Edition by Bill Lubanovic (Beginner Level) - Python Distilled, David M. Beazley (Beginner to Intermediate Level) - Effective Python (2nd Edition), Brett Slatkin (Intermediate Level) - Fluent Python (2nd Edition), Luciano Ramalho (Advanced Level) - CPython Internals, Anthony Shaw (Advanced Level) - Architecture Patterns with Python, Harry J. W. Percival & Bob Gregory (Advanced Level)

drBonkers 4y ago

To any beginners that come across this post in the future looking for introductory Python books, I tried many. The best I found in 2021 is Paul Gries's Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python 3.6 An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python 3.6 [1]. [1] https://pragprog.com/titles/gwpy3/practical-programming-third-edition/ https://pragprog.com/titles/gwpy3/practical-programming-thir...

ajot 4y ago
I reccomend, as a first book, "Automate the boring stuff with Python". It may be rustic or dirty, but it gets the job done for anyone with some enthusiasm and a problem to solve. If you want to be a tidier or more pythonic programmer, or want to learn OOP, you can get that going on later.
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
gpa 4y ago
Is Python Crash Course a good choice?

haunter 4y ago

Did anyone use the MIT textbook? https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/introduction-computation-and-programming-using-python-second-edition https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/introduction-computation-and-...

dragonwriter 4y ago
That's an introductory CS book using Python, not a Python book. That is, it's focus is on using Python to teach general computer science, not on teaching Python. It's good at what it does, but I wouldn't recommend it if your goal is primarily learning Python.

sterlinm 4y ago

Robust Python and Python Distilled are both excellent and very recent.

varlock 4y ago

+1 on "Fluent Python" by Ramalho. I enjoyed and benefitted from the first edition so much that I'll get the second edition which is due to come out soon (Apr 29). I would say it targets intermediate developers more than beginners.

hpb42 4y ago

A beginner Python textbook, free, made by the community, in Portuguese: https://curso.grupysanca.com.br/ https://curso.grupysanca.com.br/

rasulkireev 4y ago

I'm going through two Python books right now, both of which I'm enjoying: - Python Workout: 50 ten-minute exercises. - Classic Computer Science Problems in Python. Would strongly recommend if you are looking to up your skills in Python

xuesj 4y ago

Some books I've read and think good: 1. the whirlwind tour of python 2. the Hitchhiker's guide to python 3. Writing idiomatic Python 4. Learning Python.

pepipox 4y ago

If you are already a programmer and you are looking to learn Python (not how to program) I recommend 'Dive into Python 3' https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io/ https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io/ It teaches the language and many of its subtleties. It is fairly good to learn Python and is free. It is not however, a book for beginners in programming, it is for programmers wanting to learn Python.