In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, Sams Teach Yourself Python in 24 Hours will help you get started fast, master all the core concepts of programming, and build anything from websites to games. Using this book's straightforward, step-by-step approach, you'll move from the absolute basics through functions, objects, classes, modules, database integration, and more. Every lesson and case study application builds on what you've already learned, giving you a rock-solid foundation for real-world success! Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common Python development tasks. Quizzes and Exercises at the end of each chapter help you test your knowledge. Notes present interesting information related to the discussion. Tips offer advice or show you easier ways to perform tasks. Warnings alert you to possible problems and give you advice on how to avoid them. Learn how to... Install and run the right version of Python for your operating system Store, manipulate, reformat, combine, and organize information Create logic to control how programs run and what they do Interact with users or other programs, wherever they are Save time and improve reliability by creating reusable functions Master Python data types: numbers, text, lists, and dictionaries Write object-oriented programs that work better and are easier to improve Expand Python classes to make them even more powerful Use third-party modules to perform complex tasks without writing new code Split programs to make them more maintainable and reusable Clearly document your code so others can work with it Store data in SQLite databases, write queries, and share data via JSON Simplify Python web development with the Flask framework Quickly program Python games with PyGame Avoid, troubleshoot, and fix problems with your code
Katie Cunningham is a Python and Django developer for Speak Agent by day, and a technical writer by night. While she had always had an interest in programming, it didn't turn into a career until she started to work at NASA. There, she slowly transitioned from gathering requirements to developing full time, advocating the use of more open source in the government sector.
It was at NASA that she gained an interest in 508 compliance. At first, she was only interested in getting her applications through QA faster. Over time, however, she gained a passion for a web that was easy for everyone to use. Now in the private sector, she is championing compliance even for websites that don't require it by law.
She currently lives just outside of Washington, DC with her husband and two children.
A decent introduction to Python, but definitely a book targeted at beginner programmers. Still, I was able to skim through and get enough of an overview to get started on using Python, and to get a good idea on the capabilities of the language.