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

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

by Zed Shaw (Author) Format: Paperback
4.2 out of 5 stars (541)
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You Will Learn Python!

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

In Learn Python the Hard Way, Third Edition, 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 software works; what good programs look like; how to read, write, and think about code; and how to find and fix your mistakes using tricks professional programmers use. Most importantly, you'll learn the following, which you need to start writing excellent Python software of your own:

  • Installing a complete Python environment
  • Organizing and writing code
  • Basic mathematics
  • Variables
  • Strings and text
  • Interacting with users
  • Working 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
  • Debugging
  • 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 tutorial 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.

Watch Zed, too! The accompanying DVD contains 5+ hours of passionate, powerful teaching: a complete Python video course!

Read more
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  1. ISBN-10
    0321884914
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0321884916
  3. Edition
    3rd
  4. Publisher
    Addison-Wesley Professional
  5. Publication date
    October 1, 2013
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    7.25 x 9.25 x 0.75 inches
  8. Print length
    320 pages
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From the Publisher

Image
A Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World of Computers and Code
Image
The Next Step for New Python Programmers
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Quickly Get Productive with Python
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Become a Python Programmer and Have Fun Doing It
Image
The Hands-On, Example-Rich Introduction to Pandas Data Analysis in Python
Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,040
4.7 out of 5 stars 124
4.5 out of 5 stars 46
4.4 out of 5 stars 79
4.6 out of 5 stars 316
Price $19.73 $8.50 $34.33 $30.00 $25.25
User Experience Level New to programming and/or Python Perfect for everyone who’s already started working with Python, including junior developers and seasoned Python programmers upgrading to Python 3.6+ Although this book is for people who may be new to programming altogether, it also caters to people who want to know how Python works and how it’s fundamentally different 'under the hood.' For absolute beginners who’ve never written a line of code. Any level of Python experience (none to fluent) New to data analysis.
Learning Approach You’ll learn Python by working through brilliantly crafted exercises. Read them. Type their code precisely. (No copying and pasting!) Fix your mistakes. Watch the programs run. Hands-on - you’ll go far beyond the basics and learn how to analyze a concept, idea, or problem and then how to deisgn solutions by working through 52 crafted projects. Also includes access to 12 hours of video files. Takes you by the hand and teaching by examples that are explained line by line. There is heavy emphasis on examples that are fun and useful, including games, graphics, database applications, file storage, puzzles, and more. You will learn how to think 'Pythonically' and avoid common 'gotchas'. Friendly, easy, full-color. Each chapter will tell you a bit more about programming. It will show you how to do something, and then invite you to make something of your own by using what you’ve learned. Introduces key concepts through simple but practical examples, incrementally building on them to solve more difficult, real-world problems. Brings together practical knowledge and insight for solving real problems with Pandas, even if you’re new to Python data analysis.
Key Topics Organizing and writing code; Object-orinted programming; Basic game development; Basic web development Quick hacks; Data structures; Parsing text; SQL and object relational mapping In addition to Python fundamentals, this book pays a lot of attention to intermediate and even advanced features, including list comprehension, generators, multidimensional lists (matrixes), and decorators. Programming fundamentals Advanced programming Useful Python "Tidy" data; Cleaning and munging data; How to fit your data to models ; Fitting models in other languages
Python Versions Covered Python 3 Python 3.6 Python 3.0 with notes about adapting examples to Python 2.0. Python 2.7 Python 3 Python 3 (Anaconda)

Editorial Reviews

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 like Mongrel, Lamson, Mongrel2, and has been programming and writing for nearly 20 years.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Addison-Wesley Professional
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0321884914
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0321884916
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.25 x 9.25 x 0.75 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #1,275,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars (541)

About the author

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Zed Shaw

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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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
541 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book a useful way to learn Python, with one noting how it encourages hands-on practice. The content receives mixed feedback - while many say it has good information, some find the examples uninformative. The readability and writing style also get mixed reviews, with some finding it easy to understand and well-written, while others complain about a lack of explanation and a condescending tone. The book's effectiveness is positive, with customers saying it does the trick, though opinions on value for money are divided between those who find it worth getting and those who consider it a waste of money. The organization and advice sections receive mixed reviews.
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78 customers mention content, 57 positive, 21 negative
Customers find the book useful for learning Python, appreciating its learn-by-doing approach. One customer notes how it encourages hands-on programming practice, while another mentions how it helps progress through lessons.
...A great way to learn Python and segway into other languages.Read more
Greatness. Very direct and this books makes you think about what you are doing and why. Zed does not tell you or gives you just enough....Read more
I don't know to whom the book is for I only know that it is not for beginners....Read more
I love the step by step instructions....Read more
7 customers mention effectiveness, 6 positive, 1 negative
Customers find the book effective, with one mentioning that Mr. Zed Shaw's teaching approach works well for them.
Helped so much. I don’t know any programming and this helped sooooo much!Read more
...has a unique way of teaching and is a little unorthodox, yet very effective....Read more
...I am giving this 5 stars because the author does a good job of accomplishing his stated purpose in writing the book....Read more
What can I say? Zed Shaw is hilarious. The book does exactly what it promises you to do....Read more
20 customers mention informative, 13 positive, 7 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's informativeness, with some finding it a great resource and exactly what they needed, while others note that it discusses complex topics in a casual manner.
I'm a beginner and this book breaks the info down great.Read more
...The index is sparse; several interesting and important entries simply aren't present, limiting the value of the book as a reference or refresher....Read more
Great easy to read book on Python. Many examples. Easy to understandRead more
...With that being said it does have a lot of good information. I recommend this book as a companion book to help round out your reference guides.Read more
18 customers mention readability, 11 positive, 7 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with some finding it easy to understand and praising it as a great introduction to Python, while others note it suffers from a lack of explanation.
Easy to read and understand. Practice, practice, practice. The method of teaching is great for building knowledge and confidence.Read more
Suffers from a lack of explanation when dealing with complex topics such as classes and objected oriented programming....Read more
Extremely easy to follow, I will say.. Some of the material is dated.. Like using %s and %d..... Google using .format instead... Other than that,...Read more
...while the package was going through the delivery process but it is still readable.Read more
18 customers mention writing style, 7 positive, 11 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it very well written and easy to understand, while others find it poorly executed.
...At the most critical point of understanding in the book the author drops the ball. Plus, it’s outdated as it is based on Python 2....Read more
Good book simply written. if you follow the book you will learn, step by step.Read more
...First of all, the author insists on using Python v2 not v3 and doesn't explain why. Secondly, you can't use Python IDLE to enter the code....Read more
...But ultimately, his writing style got in the way, for me, and I quickly moved on to the Python Essential Reference and on-line forums.Read more
16 customers mention value for money, 6 positive, 10 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value for money, with some finding it a great deal while others consider it a waste of time and money.
...Do not buy this book unless you are comfortable debugging his code and confident you can identify when he meant to use an array versus when he meant...Read more
Great book love it love the method he uses. worth it.Read more
...His examples are uninformative. This book is a waste of money....Read more
No, don’t buy it. At the most critical point of understanding in the book the author drops the ball. Plus, it’s outdated as it is based on Python 2....Read more
7 customers mention organization, 4 positive, 3 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's organization.
...is very entertaining and the exercises are straight forward with a great layout.Read more
...For example: The book has functions lesson but, it misses out on structure functions, and the purpose of functions, and doesn't even mention def main...Read more
...As the book progresses, the logical order the exercises are layed out causing things to come together even before he get's into the detailed...Read more
...to Speak Object Oriented", the title of Exercise 41, is an awkward construct at best....Read more
5 customers mention advice, 2 positive, 3 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the advice in the book, with some finding the approach perfect while others describe the content and guidance as worse than marginal.
...seems some readers like Zed's blunt "hard way" style, but I found his tone unencouraging - i.e., if you are trying to tackle a challenging new...Read more
Approach is perfectRead more
...In a few places, the author offers dubious advice. In Exercise 36, he advises "do not use a 'debugger'", for example....Read more
Grating writing style with questionable adviceRead more
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