Learning Python: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming

by Mark Lutz

Overview

Get a comprehensive, in-depth introduction to the core Python language with this hands-on book. Based on author Mark Lutz's popular training course, this updated sixth edition will help you quickly write efficient, high-quality code with Python. It's an ideal way to begin, whether you're new to programming or a professional developer versed in other languages.

Complete with quizzes, exercises, and helpful illustrations, this easy-to-follow self-paced tutorial gets you started with Python 3.12 and all other releases in use today. With a pragmatic focus on what you need to know, it also introduces some advanced language features that have become increasingly common in Python code.

This book helps you:

• Explore Python's built-in object types such as strings, lists, dictionaries, and files
• Create and process objects with Python statements, and learn Python's syntax model
• Use functions and functional programming to avoid redundancy and maximize reuse
• Organize code into larger components with modules and packages
• Code robust programs with Python's exception handling and development tools
• Apply object-oriented programming and classes to make code customizable
• Survey advanced Python tools including decorators, descriptors, and metaclasses
• Write idiomatic Python code that runs portably across a wide variety of platforms

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781098171308
Publisher:	O'Reilly Media, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/01/2025
Edition description:	6th ed.
Pages:	1169
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 2.40(d)

About the Author

Mark Lutz is the author of Python's classic and foundational texts, a former trainer with two decades of experience teaching Python to newcomers, and one of the people responsible for the prominence that Python enjoys today.

Mark wrote the three O'Reilly books Learning Python, Programming Python, and Python Pocket Reference, all currently in fourth, fifth, or sixth editions. He has been using and promoting Python since 1992, started writing Python books in 1995, and began teaching Python classes in 1997.

All told, Mark has taught thousands of learners live and in person, and his published works span 12k pages among 15 books that cover Pythons 1.X through 3.X. He also has BS and MS degrees in computer science, work experience in compilers and other domains, and a current interest in Python-coded apps that run on both PCs and phones.

Table of Contents

Preface
I. The Core Language
1. Getting Started
     Why Python?
     How to Run Python Programs
     A First Look at Module Files
     Python Configuration Details
     Summary
     Exercises

2. Types and Operators
     Python Program Structure
     Why Use Built-in Types?
     Numbers
     Strings
     Lists
     Dictionaries
     Tuples
     Files
     General Object Properties
     Built-in Type Gotchas
     Summary
     Exercises

3. Basic Statements
     Assignment
     Expressions
     Print
     if Tests
     while Loops
     for Loops
     Common Coding Gotchas
     Summary
     Exercises

4. Functions
     Why Use Functions?
     Function Basics
     Scope Rules in Functions
     Argument Passing
     Odds and Ends
     Function Gotchas
     Summary
     Exercises

5. Modules
     Why Use Modules?
     Module Basics
     Module Files Are Namespaces
     Import Model
      Reloading Modules
     Odds and Ends
     Module Gotchas
     Summary
     Exercises

6. Classes
     Why Use Classes?
     Class Basics
     Using the Class Statement
     Using Class Methods
     Inheritance Searches Namespace Trees
     Operator Overloading in Classes
     Namespace Rules: The Whole Story
     Designing with Classes
     Odds and Ends
     Class Gotchas
     Summary
     Exercises

7. Exceptions
     Why Use Exceptions?
     Exception Basics
     Exception Idioms
     Exception Catching Modes
     Odds and Ends
     Exception Gotchas
     Summary
     Exercises

II. The Outer Layers

8. Built-in Tools
     Built-in Functions
     Library Modules
     Exercises

9. Common Tasks in Python
     Data Structure Manipulations
     Manipulating Files
     Manipulating Programs
     Internet-Related Activities
     Bigger Examples
     Exercises

10. Frameworks and Applications
     An Automated Complaint System
     Interfacing with COM: Cheap Public Relations
     A Tkinter-Based GUI Editor for Managing Form Data
     Design Considerations
     JPython: The Felicitous Union of Python and Java
     Other Frameworks and Applications
     Exercises

III. Appendixes

A. Python Resources

B. Platform-Specific Topics

C. Solutions to Exercises

INDEX:

Editorial Reviews

This is an introductory tutorial for Python, the popular object-oriented scripting language used in many domains, especially on the web. Programmers are beginning to use it for standalone programs and seeing dramatic productivity improvements. Authors Mark Lutz & David Ascher cover Python essentials and core concepts, organizing their text around major language features, not examples. The tutorial is based on a three day hands-on Python course. Nonetheless, a basic understanding of object-oriented programming concepts and scripting environments will help you to work quickly through this text. You should also download a free copy of Python and install it to work the examples and code; authors provide the information and sources.

Highlights:

• Core language section focuses on programming essentials, such as built-in types, statements, tools and packaged program components. Here, you also learn about types and operators, functions, modules, classes and exceptions.
• Builds upon core concepts as it explains how to use built-in tools and perform common programming tasks. Leads into frameworks and applications by introducing elements of COM, the GUI editor, Python and Java integration.

Advantages:

• This well-organized self-study tutorial clearly explains and annotates code. Discussions proceed from elementary to more difficult concepts and structures. End-of-chapter exercises are designed to make you think, not just regurgitate code.
• Appendices contain additional references, resources and solutions to exercises.
• Additional information is available on the authors' web site.

Related Titles:

Afteryou have mastered this tutorial, you may be interested in more intermediate to advanced programming guides, such as Programming Python, and Internet Programming with Python. A Python pocket reference, The Python Pocket Reference, is also available.