Programming in Python 3: A Complete Introduction to the Python Language (Developer's Library) 2nd Edition

This book was exactly what I was looking for.I am a developer, working mostly in C++ and C#, with an engineering background that includes experience with FORTRAN, VB, MATLAB, etc.I noticed a job that interested me, for which knowledge of C++ and Python were needed, so I was looking for a Python book that was reader-friendly, but not an absolute beginner book.I strongly recommend this book. The writing is very clear, with tons of code examples. There is a clear and thorough explanation after every code snippet, just in case you can't figure what the heck is going on. But it's not a 'lightweight.' The book is 600 pages and is packed with information, so it can serve as a useful reference.for a ton of topics. However, it's also very approachable, if you just want to read it systematically from start to finish.

Mark Summerfield's text: "Programming in Python 3" is a very good introduction to the Python programming language for people with prior programming experiance in another language. I came to Python from MatLab and prior to that, C and Fortan. So I'm pleased with the book and find myself refering back to it quite often. Having said that, this is not a "For Dummies" type book. Familiarity with with directory structure, file handling, and command prompt (console) operation is assumed.The book covers all of the built in types and programming constructs of the Python language. It also introduces some of the useful (batteries included) standard library functinality along with details for working with modules and packages.Finally, as I'm working my way into the middle of the book, I'm finding that it's a good introduction to object-oriented (OO) programming concepts and techniques in the clean syntax of the Python language. The OO concepts are not obfuscated by a language that is too criptic or too messy. Since this is about where I'm at on my own learning curve, the book is proving quite useful.

This book is meant for the serious programmer in Python 3.X You can follow the readings and examples very well. It is well-thought out in terms of topic ordering. I use this in my graduate course in Python. While one must read a fair amount of text, there is very little that I would call extraneous material. The margin notes are helpful. Collecting methods and other material into tables is very helpful. The audience for this book is either the professional programmer or scientists & engineers that must do programming as part of their work. It is a help to educators, too.

Python is a large language. Any attempt to put it all in one book will fail. Any author writing an introductory book on python has to make choices. This author did a poor job in making those choices. For example, in Chapter 2, he goes detail on string formats and variable replacement which should be in later chapter or omitted all together. Also, there is much tortured prose in book surrounding what is included and what is not. I really feel for Mark Summerfield. You can tell these decisions killed him.I liked the code examples. The explanations are clear if overly complete. So why only 3 stars? I almost gave it 4 stars, but I looked down and book sitting next to my computer which I refer to daily (I am not that adept at python yet), is Beazley's Python Essential Reference. Ultimately, Beazley did a better job choosing what to include and what to omit.

Nothing to dislike. It covers almost everything and does a very good job on most subjects.

Good condition all around, clear, good binding.

As others have noted, this is a fast paced book which covers Python 3 very well. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the exercises are not very useful. They almost all consist of minor modifications to a program which has been discussed in the text. This is not enough to learn the language. One must also write programs from scratch, or at least make major changes to existing programs.

Learning quite a bit.