book recommendation for Python newbie?

[Joe Strout]

I'm trying to (gently) convince my business partner that we should be
adding Python to our core toolset. He's never used it before, apart
from poking around in the tutorial a bit at my urging. But he's got a
birthday coming up, and I'd like to get him a book that will help him
make the transition more smoothly and enjoyably.

In case it matters: his background is mainly in databases (originally
4D, more recently MySQL), and his current primary tools are REALbasic
(which is a statically typed language with semantics similar to Java)
and PHP. He's primarily a Mac user, but occasionally has to dabble in
Linux or Windows. If we do make this change, he'll be using Python in
a professional capacity to develop commercial apps.

There are a lot of Python books out there... which one would you
recommend in this case?

Thanks,
- Joe

[Mike Driscoll]

On Oct 9, 3:00*pm, Joe Strout <[e-mail]:

I'm trying to (gently) convince my business partner that we should be *
adding Python to our core toolset. *He's never used it before, apart *
from poking around in the tutorial a bit at my urging. *But he's got a *
birthday coming up, and I'd like to get him a book that will help him *
make the transition more smoothly and enjoyably.

In case it matters: his background is mainly in databases (originally *
4D, more recently MySQL), and his current primary tools are REALbasic *
(which is a statically typed language with semantics similar to Java) *
and PHP. *He's primarily a Mac user, but occasionally has to dabble in *
Linux or Windows. *If we do make this change, he'll be using Python in *
a professional capacity to develop commercial apps.

There are a lot of Python books out there... which one would you *
recommend in this case?

Thanks,
- Joe

A lot of people recommend Lutz's "Learning Python". While I haven't
read it, I have read his follow-up "Programming Python" and it was
good. You might also look at Hetland's "Beginning Python" or even the
"Python for Dummies" book.

Mike

[slais-www]

Mike Driscoll wrote:

A lot of people recommend Lutz's "Learning Python". While I haven't
read it, I have read his follow-up "Programming Python" and it was

I found Learning Python good for learning, and a useful reference
sometimes, but it can seem very slow paced if you already know some
other language. Another problem is that the author seems unable to drop
any material that is out of date; the pace is slowed by explanations of
what you might need to do if using a very old version. The third edition
is even worse is that respect. Also, being based of the author's
training experience, is not always a good thing. I prefer a book to
sitting in a class because I don't want to fall asleep whilst the
instructor repeats an explanation yet again for the benefit of those at
the back, nor wait while clever-clogs at the front asks an arcane
question of no general interest. Learning Python is too much like
sitting in a classroom for me.

If you already know some programming Python in a Nutshell is very useful.

good. You might also look at Hetland's "Beginning Python" or even the
"Python for Dummies" book.

Mike