Beginning Python

Book Description

Beginning Python: Using Python 2.6 and Python 3.1 introduces this open source, portable, interpreted, object–oriented programming language that combines remarkable power with clear syntax. This book enables you to quickly create robust, reliable, and reusable Python applications by teaching the basics so you can quickly develop Web and scientific applications, incorporate databases, and master systems tasks on various operating systems, including Linux, MAC OS, and Windows. You′ll get a comprehensive tutorial that guides you from writing simple, basic Python scripts all the way through complex concepts, and also features a reference of the standard modules with examples illustrating how to implement features in the various modules. Plus, the book covers using Python in specific program development domains, such as XML, databases, scientific applications, network programming, and Web development.

Note: CD–ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Create a robust, reliable, and reusable Python application

As an open source, object–oriented programming language, Python is easy to understand, extendable, and user–friendly. This book covers every aspect of Python so that you can get started writing your own programs with Python today. Author James Payne begins with the most basic concepts of the Python language—placing a special focus on the 2.6 and 3.1 versions—and he offers an in–depth look at existing Python programs so you can learn by example. Topics progress from strings, lists, and dictionaries to classes, objects, and modules. With this book, you will learn how to quickly and confidently create a robust, reliable, and reusable Python application.

Beginning Python:

• Introduces the concepts of variables for storing and manipulating data

• Examines files and input/output for reading or writing data

• Reviews examples of often–overlooked features of Python

• Delves into writing tests for modules and programs

• Addresses programming with a graphical user interface in Python

• Places special focus on XML, HTML, XSL, and related technologies

• Explains how to extend Python

• Shares numerical programming techniques

• Offers an inside look at Jython, a version of Python written in Java

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Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: Dipping Your Toe into Python.

Chapter 1: Programming Basics and Strings.

Chapter 2: Numbers and Operators.

Chapter 3: Variables –– Names for Values.

Part II: Python Language and the Standard Library.

Chapter 4: Making Decisions.

Chapter 5: Functions.

Chapter 6: Classes and Objects.

Chapter 7: Organizing Programs.

Chapter 8: Files and Directories.

Chapter 9: Other Features of the Language.

Chapter 10: Building a Module.

Chapter 11: Text Processing.

Part III: Putting Python to Work.

Chapter 12: Testing.

Chapter 13: Writing a GUI with Python.

Chapter 14: Accessing Databases.

Chapter 15: Using Python for XML.

Chapter 16: Network Programming.

Chapter 17: Extension Programming with C.

Chapter 18: Numerical Programming.

Chapter 19: An Introduction to Django.

Chapter 20: Web Applications and Web Services.

Chapter 21: Integrating Java with Python.

Part IV: Appendices.

Appendix A: Answers to the Exercises.

Appendix B: Online Resources.

Appendix C: What’s New in Python 3.1.

Appendix D: Glossary.

Index.

Back Cover Text

Create a robust, reliable, and reusable Python application

As an open source, object–oriented programming language, Python is easy to understand, extendable, and user–friendly. This book covers every aspect of Python so that you can get started writing your own programs with Python today. Author James Payne begins with the most basic concepts of the Python language—placing a special focus on the 2.6 and 3.1 versions—and he offers an in–depth look at existing Python programs so you can learn by example. Topics progress from strings, lists, and dictionaries to classes, objects, and modules. With this book, you will learn how to quickly and confidently create a robust, reliable, and reusable Python application.

Beginning Python:

• Introduces the concepts of variables for storing and manipulating data

• Examines files and input/output for reading or writing data

• Reviews examples of often–overlooked features of Python

• Delves into writing tests for modules and programs

• Addresses programming with a graphical user interface in Python

• Places special focus on XML, HTML, XSL, and related technologies

• Explains how to extend Python

• Shares numerical programming techniques

• Offers an inside look at Jython, a version of Python written in Java

wrox.com Programmer Forums

Join our Programmer to Programmer forums to ask and answer programming questions about this book, join discussions on the hottest topics in the industry, and connect with fellow programmers from around the world.

Code Downloads

Take advantage of free code samples from this book, as well as code samples from hundreds of other books, all ready to use.

Read More

Find articles, ebooks, sample chapters and tables of contents for hundreds of books, and more reference resources on programming topics that matter to you.

Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.