Dive Into Python 3

by Mark Pilgrim

Mark Pilgrim 's Dive Into Python 3 is a hands-on guide to Python 3 and its differences from Python 2. As in the original book, Dive Into Python , each chapter starts with a real, complete code sample, proceeds to pick it apart and explain the pieces, and then puts it all back together in a summary at the end. This book This is the perfect resource for you if you need to port applications to Python 3, or if you like to jump into languages fast and get going right away.

Genres: Programming, Nonfiction, Technology, Computer Science, Technical, Software, Coding

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Thyag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dive Into Python is an excellent "quick dive" resource for busy programmers who are beginning Python. If you have done some basic C or Java programming in the past (no need to be expert) - then this book would serve you best. Mark Pilgrim is clear about the intended readership when he says : "You won't find long-winded treatises on the aesthetics of API design or the history of computer science. I don't have time for that, and neither do you"

It is a book that works like a hands-on training manual. There are lots of examples. Each example is dissected "until you can't help but understand it". I am sure experienced programmers would enjoy it. What I liked most is the author's writing style - he is quick and gets down to the freaking point leaving out all the unnecessary details.

But if you are new to programming or if you want a "brutally friendly" learning resource, then I would recommend Zed Shaw's free online book titled Learn Python the Hard Way. In fact Zed Shaw has made some scathing criticism on Reddit about Dive Into Python for being too "unfriendly" to programming beginners. This might be his own view. You might want to analyze your comfort level with programming before choosing your learning resource (both the books are free online for you to check out).

Just note that this book is based on Python 3 - which is a significantly different version compared to Python 2.7.x. The Python world is currently running on 2.7.x and it probably takes very long before everyone moves into Python 3.

Verdict : This is a good book for experienced programmers who are beginning Python. Not recommended for total beginners of programming

[Mohamed Tougorti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially liked chapters 5, 12 and 14 (on regular expression, XML and HTTP Web Services (real eye opener)) but I thought it was a little lacking on classes (chapter 3).
But nonetheless a must read if your interested in python.
Thanks for Mark Pilgrim to make it freely readable over the web.

[Phil Filippak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly concise and definitive guide to Python 3. It is rather useful if Python is not your first language, as contents of this book may seem too complicated for a newcomer. I skimmed through a couple of case studies, especially involving migration from Python 2 because I don't need it. The book has a nice appendix on magic methods and plethora of links to different articles on advanced techniques. Sadly, some of those need review for a lot of sites have gone offline since the time of the publication. In general, it's a good brief intro to the language.

[Johan Kwok · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really not sure, hm...

Somewhat outdated and goes into things that might not be really useful. It doesn't "feel" like I got a solid foundation. Just a walk into scattered topics.

Really not beginner-friendly, it helps if you dabbled with programming before, because he won't explain a lot of stuff. With that being said, the reading doesn't drag much — if you don't count the boring sections.

But well, despite the 2 stars, I think it was worth it. The stars say more about my feeling than the practical worth of this book that is provided to me.

[Loka Satrio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the web version, a very good "quick" guide to python.
The explanation of the sample code is concise and clear. every chapter is related to one another which is not good for a reference book (i.e. you just want to only read specific chapter).

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read about half the book to get a quick dive into Python. It seemed quite good for that purpose. Well-written and clear.

[Ronaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is now a little dated but it was the best intro to python for various years. The author's stylistic style was certainly adopted in other books.

[Maksym Karazieiev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for Python beginners. It has examples, explanations and references if you want to dive deep. The great first step in Python in my opinion

[Rick Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome as always

Just as clear and fun to read as the first book.
Informative.
I would recommend reading it too ensure you have the basics covered.

[Mikhail GEYER · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is clear and fast to read. Good examples, nice expanations.

[Neal Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my students come to me to learn a 'holistic' approach to computing and I teach them to build a computer from the first principles - that is from the basic NAND gate all the way to the operating system, assembler and compiler. A basic requirement I have is that they know some programming. For that I use Zed Shaw's Learn Python The Hard Way. On completing that book though some students feel they'd like to learn some more python and that's where this book comes in. It's fast paced and though week in some areas there's tons of stuff on the internet to fill in the gaps. As such it provides a very good 'framework' to follow to guide the learning pathway that I recommend.

[Mohammad Laif · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book explain many useful things for intermediate learners, clear many hazy for beginners!

I find some chapter very useful like:
String chapter: explaining encoding ascii, unicode, utfs, bytes & string in python!
Regular Expressions chapter.
Packaging: for anyone who want to know more about creating setup files, modules...
Porting Code to Python 3 with 2to3: this is my favorite chapter, I was start learning python2, then when I came to python3 this chapter clear many differences between the two version.
Special Method Names: another great chapter for knowing magic methods! that flow in understanding classes more.

[Shayan Kh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A decent introduction to how python3 works and how you should think in a pythonic way, for programmers. If you have no background in any other programming languages, this book isn't for you. If you are a pro at another language, this isn't for you either. But if you have some experience programming with other languages but considerin python, this book is great.
It has many examples of how you should do stuff in python. In fact, every thing is explained in examples, which is an interesting way of explaining as apposed to the treditional way in which the author explain something and then follow it with some examples.

[Vlad Sitalo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to Python for people with previous programming experience. Gives good overview of language and a lot of references for further deeper reading.
On the other hand It is a bit superficial sometimes and I have to admit that I've partially skipped parts devoted to Python2 to Python3 porting because I don't feel they are relevant for me now.
Though this is my first Python book so it's hard to say how good is it in comparison to other similar books.

[Emad Mokhtar]

I recommend this book for beginners and intermediate Python developers, I learnt many things from it, it will focus on unicode issue and how Python 3 fixing this issue, this is the main reason Python 3 created so expect to see it many time a cross chapters.

Last things you can read this book online for free http://www.diveintopython3.net/

[John Schwabacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am trying to learn Python and this book is free online and looks very good.
I decided to read the Python 3 version because it also discusses Python 2 and the author says he understands interators and generators better than when he wrote the first version.

[Marcus J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Writing Style.

[Anand Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for a nice review of the subject. But the reader would be served better only if he has prior exposure to python.

[Alpha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typeset and layout are bad.

The author's style in this book is suitable for presenting simple language features, not good enough at complex stuff.

It deserves a 3.5 star.

[Volodymyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite superficial, not good at complex topics, many examples of Python 2 to Python 3 migration (it is not interesting for person who wants to learn Python)

[Renan Ivo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it was my first programming book

[Anass Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really fantastic in explaining the fundamentals of Python language and the deep secrets of its structure. I recommend every beginner programmer to read it.

[Hussein AlSarabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the most important parts and skimmed through the rest. I liked it, simple well structured and enjoyable to read.

[David Maixner · Rating 3 out of 5]

docela fajn ucebnice pythonu, aspon tahle neni uplne a naprosto trivialni a pristupuje k tomu trochu jinak nez je bezna prezentace furt stejnych jazykovych konstrukci

[Todor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't read the last 3 chapters ... Too specific and not really python beginner related

[Mohamad Fazeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good for people who seek to consolidate their understand of python concepts.

[Eugene Gostyukhin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty boring intro to python in my opinion.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minus half a star for not covering everything.