Python Distilled (Developer's Library)

Anyone who started learning to write in Python by reading the online Python.org tutorial will have quickly learned that it barely scratches the surface of what the language can do, and gives almost no indication of what goes on under the hood - the 'magic' as it is often referred to. Having tried several books with many hundreds of pages, hoping for more complete treatments and insights, I still came away feeling there was a lot more to understand and with a sense of worryingly large gaps in my knowledge. Then I found this book. Python Distilled is the maximally clear and concise explication of everything Python can do, complete with explanations in terms of internal processes, including the 'magic' by which they are accomplished, and how it all fits together into a single conceptual overview, something which truly is a thing of outstanding beauty once it can be perceived. From this perspective it can be seen that Python really is a technological and intellectual wonder of the modern world; a next generational step beyond the established round of classical Object Oriented languages. All this laid is out in the minimal number of pages (but no fewer) and expressed in terms that any seasoned object oriented programmer will understand. As such this is not a book for newbie programmers. It is probably not even the first book for Python programmers - that would be the online tutorial. But when you are ready to dive into the sea of little secrets that add up to Python's one big secret then this is the book you will need. At a month old my copy is already dog-eared and battered, with some sections re-read many times as I use them to implement new and more sophisticated techniques. There are several really useful, possibly critical, reference tables, such as the magic methods underlying data model protocols, all the builtin types and functions plus the more immediately useful bits of the Python standard library. This is THE guide and reference for the journeyman Python programmer.

This wonderful book is a condensed, but very clear, overview of Python, from the basic language (data types, expressions, control flow, functions, objects, classes, modules, i/o, and more), to some more esoteric features (generators, asynchronous functions, decorators, weak references, multiple inheritance and mixins, metaclasses, and more). This is not a tutorial. It doesn’t assume that you know about these features beforehand, but it also doesn’t give much hand-holding once it has alerted you to their existence. It is indeed “distilled”: all the essence is present, but if you want to learn how to use the features with confidence, you will need more tutorial material. But at least you now know what to look for!

Probably not for newbies, but once you have the basics of Python, this book is invaluable.

David writes with clarity and concision. The text is an excellent overview. It is not a tutorial, but rather seeks to drill down into the core of the language, and some of the standard library. The result is a condensed text that is useful to both beginners and those consolidating their knowledge before launching into intermediate texts or projects. If you are already a programmer, and want to start using python 3 quickly, start here. If you think you know python, you can scour this book for nuggets of wisdom. If you knew everything in here you'd know alot.

(Well, less the detailed description of the standard library, which is well documented elsewhere.) No less excellent than the previous editions. Rigorous and complete. Focuses on Python 3, so there is no scope for V2/V3 confusion. (If you need to use 2.7 then you need the Fourth Edition too).

I love this book. This is hands down the best intermediate introduction book to any programming language that I've ever read. It is clear, concise, has me surprised at almost every other page - it tells me things that aren't obvious, avoids covering the basics in nauseating detail (as most books do) and gets right to the meat, quickly and effectively. I feel properly armed to take on Python projects. I also like the fact that it isn't one of those awful 'hey kids, let's build a system together to learn' books, as so many other technology books seem to do these days... God, how I hate those. No, this is a sensible, well-written guide to the language, its style and its idiosyncrasies.

Loved the previous Developer Library 4th Edition of Python Essential Reference, but this version is a lot smaller and so a lot less useful as a reference for a professional developer.

Recommended as a reference and it hasn't disappointed yet. Clear, extensive, and well illustrated with examples. I'd recommend it too.

Firstly, the book title shown on Amazon NL is incorrect — the book delivered is actually, correctly, “Python Distilled”. The back cover says David Beazley has “been using, writing, speaking, and teaching about Python since 1996” — and, boy, it shows. It is a pleasure to soak up his valuable years of experience. One can only do it for a short while at a time — as there is so much depth in the book. The format of the book is to cover all the aspects of Python one by one (see the Contents) providing background, insights and, the most important of all, experience, in using Python effectively. It is not a (beginners) tutorial book, there are many other books for that, it is a distillation (there’s that word again!) of knowledge that can be read and enjoyed from cover to cover, or dipping into a current topic of interest. It is by no means limited to programmers coming from other languages, any Python programmer (unless they are equally or more knowledgeable than David Beazley) will benefit from the book.

Amazing book if you are experienced programmer in other language and pick up Python. Shares concepts that otherwise you would know only after lot of development work, as if like very pro level programmer sharing secretes.

Very blunt and to the point reference book to the anatomy of python. This is probably better for someone who is already familiar with the language. It looks really comprehensive with all the topics easy to locate without wading through a bunch of educational narratives, exercises, and "quick tips". Definitely worth having but if you're looking for a single book for learning the language you might want to look at another book. I don't think this book was meant for that. I got the Learn Python Programming from Packt and am pleased with it for that task. This book is still worth having and I expect that it will complement my learning book very well.

This is actually the one book to have on Python. And finally it is available on a more recent version, 3.6. My only objection: I like the old white-and-blue (or is it purple?) cover more!

I wish I had this book earlier. It's full of Pythonic guidance with ten major subdivided sections which cover all aspects from the basics to data control and manipulation techniques, including the best summary I have seen regarding classes and Object-oriented programming. Pesky subjects like input/output, standard library modules and built-in functions are also well covered. Numerous code examples are given throughout, and thank heavens - we have a detailed, comprehensive index. (On my hate list are authors who write text books without an index!). Author David Beazley, already well known for his 'Python Essential Reference' (4th edition of 2010), and the Cookbook of 2013, has put it all together yet again. Highly recommended.