New editions of several Python books.

[Magnus Lycka]

While I work at a company that uses Python a lot (and would
have had a hard time finding such a place a few years ago) I
don't really have a clear opinion on whether Python's marketshare
(or mindshare) is growing significantly. Perl seems to be in
decline, but on the other hand, Ruby is attracting a lot of people.

One interesting thing I noticed when I visited Amazon.com
today, was that several publishers are busy making new
editions of their Python books. These classics are in the
pipeline:

Python Essential Reference (3rd Edition)
by David M. Beazley (Paperback - February 24, 2006)

I have the 1st ed. Just as with Martelli's Nutshell-book, this is a
really good reference book. (Or was in previous editions at least.)

Python, Second Edition : Visual QuickStart Guide (2nd Edition)
by Chris Fehily (Paperback - April 14, 2006)

In my opinion one of the best beginner books. Straight forward and
also affordable.

Programming Python, 3rd edition
by Mark Lutz (Paperback - July 2006)

Never a favourite of mine really, but a popular book...

And this is already reissued it seems:

Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Second Edition
by Michael Dawson (Paperback - November 8, 2005)

Finally...

Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional
by Magnus Lie Hetland (Paperback - September 26, 2005)

....was more or less a 2nd edition of Magnus' "Practical Python".

There is also a "Python for Dummies" on its way at last. (I'm not
sure Python *is* for dummies though. Despite being so easy to learn
and use, it mainly seems to attract smart and experienced people, why
else would Python programmers be among the best paid programmers?)

Somehow, the fact that so many books are reissued in a fairly short
period, makes me feel that the publishers feel that the winds are
blowing our way...

Any thoughts on this?

I don't see any similar republish trends among the other scripting
languages. (Although Ruby on Rails seems to attract some attention --
four books in the pipeline.)

[Aahz]

In article <ds**********@wake.carmen.se>,
Magnus Lycka <ly***@carmen.se> wrote:

There is also a "Python for Dummies" on its way at last. (I'm not
sure Python *is* for dummies though. Despite being so easy to learn
and use, it mainly seems to attract smart and experienced people, why
else would Python programmers be among the best paid programmers?)

If you can have _Borland C++ for Dummies_, _Python for Dummies_ makes a
lot more sense. :-/
--
Aahz (aa**@pythoncraft.com) <*> http://www.pythoncraft.com/

"19. A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming,
is not worth knowing." --Alan Perlis

[Magnus Lycka]

Aahz wrote:

If you can have _Borland C++ for Dummies_, _Python for Dummies_ makes a
lot more sense. :-/

Well, I guess Borland C++ for Dummies has a genuine purpose, but
it could be a very short book. One page where is says: "Don't!" ;^)

I guess it's a seal of mainstream approval to get a Dummies book,
and I certainly think that Python should be a relief for many
people who aren't programmers but occasionally needs to write
small programs. I hope it becomes a hit! I suspect the "dummies"
might want a more "polished" (dumbed down?) development environment
though.

[James Stroud]

Magnus Lycka wrote:

Programming Python, 3rd edition
by Mark Lutz (Paperback - July 2006)

Never a favourite of mine really, but a popular book...

This one is like broccoli. Its good for you but it doesn't have much flavor.

[David Reed]

On Feb 9, 2006, at 3:59 PM, James Stroud wrote:

Magnus Lycka wrote:

Programming Python, 3rd edition
by Mark Lutz (Paperback - July 2006)

Never a favourite of mine really, but a popular book...

This one is like broccoli. Its good for you but it doesn't have
much flavor.
--
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list

I found the Learning Python book (that Lutz is a co-author of) a much
better book for someone who knows another language and wants to learn
Python. The Programming Python has lots of examples, but I found it
difficult to "look things up".

The three books I would recommend for someone (who already knows
another language) wanting to learn Python are:

Learning Python
Python Essential Reference
Python Cookbook

Dave