Python Distilled
Expert insight for modern Python (3.6+) coding from the author of Python Essential Reference Python educator Dave Beazley's concise handbook focuses on the essential core of the Python programming language, with code examples to illuminate how Python works and how to structure programs that can be more easily explained, tested, and debugged. Rather than trying to cover every possible feature and quirk of a 30-year-old language, this pragmatic guide provides a concise narrative related to fundamental programming topics that form the foundation for Python projects of any size including Data abstraction Control flow Program structure Functions: master functions and functional programming idioms Objects: control objects and master the "protocols" that define their behavior Modules: plan for project growth by understanding modules and packages Generators Classes: understand classes from both high-level and technical perspectives I/O handling: proper techniques and abstractions Dicts "This is a pragmatic book that presents some of the most important topics about the Python programming language in a concise form, designed to make it easier to find out the most relevant information bits in a context where resources abound and frequently are just too overwhelming." —Victor Domingos, Software Developer, Slim Business Solutions, The No Title® Tech Blog
Stats for nerds
9recommend
11mentions
10people
2022–2026years
91% recommend9% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- When I need a refresher on the basics of Python, I refer to Python Distilled, and when I want a deep dive, I turn to Fluent Python. Reading these books makes me feel like I'm sitting next to an experienced, witty colleague.
I will take a look at Python Crash Course.
- "The Algorithm Design Manual" by Skiena to prep for algo interviews, in case hiring picks up again.
"The Two Towers" by Tolkien, I last read them in high school and wanted to revisit Middle-earth.
"Python Distilled" by Beazley - I'm using it to iron out some of my knowledge gaps with the language. It's well-written and informative!
- I found the book “Python Distilled” got me up to speed quickly after not doing a ton of Python for about a decade.
- I taught this course to corporate clients for three or four years before developing my own materials.
The course materials for this course and the introductory course (“Practical Python”[1]) are quite thorough, but I've always found the portfolio analysis example very hokey.
There's enormous, accessible depth to these kinds of P&L reporting examples, but the course evolves this example in a much less interesting direction. Additionally, while the conceptual and theoretical materials is solid, the analytical and technical approach that the portfolio example takes quickly diverges from how we would actually solve a problem like this. (These days, attendees are very likely to have already been exposed to tools like pandas!) This requires additional instructor guidance to bridge the gap, to reconcile the pure Python and “PyData” approaches. (Of course, no other Python materials or Python instruction properly address and reconcile these two universes, and most Python materials that cover the “PyData” universe—especially those about pandas—are rife with foundational conceptual errors.)
Overall, David is an exceptional instructor, and his explanations and his written materials are top notch. He is one of the most thoughtful, most intelligent, and most engaging instructors I have ever worked with.
I understand from David that he rarely teaches this course or Practical Python to corporate audience, instead preferring to teach courses direct to the public. (In fact, I took over a few of his active corporate clients when he transitioned away from this work, which is what led me to drafting my own curricula.) I'm not sure if he still teaches this course at all anymore.
However, I would strongly encourage folks to look into his new courses, which cover a much broader set of topics (and are not Python-specific)! [2]
Also, if you do happen to be a Python programmer, be sure to check out his most recent book,“Python Distilled”[3]!
[1] https://dabeaz-course.github.io/practical-python/
[2] https://www.dabeaz.com/courses.html
[3] https://www.amazon.com/Python-Essential-Reference-Developers...
- In no particular order or preference:
* Think Python 2nd Edition (or How to think like a computer scientist. More recently, "Learn python the right way" based on same book.)
* Fluent Python 2nd Edition, Ramalho
* Python Distilled, Dave Baezley
- See also "Python Distilled" by this author (https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/python-distilled/978013...) — this pragmatic guide provides a concise narrative related to fundamental programming topics such as data abstraction, control flow, program structure, functions, objects, and modules
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