Best Books for Python Programming

[alexnb185]

Okay, I am not new to programing, and I know the basics of python. I am looking for a great book to teach me python on the summer. I want to know the basics as well as the more advanced features, or at least have them all available.

Any recommendations?

[yan]

Once you learn the basics, try just reading through your favorite open source project. I find it to be most helpful to read other people's code to get better at understanding the innards of a language.

Also, make changes, rework it, add debugging info, go nuts! Reading and especially editing the code of others is a great way to learn a language, imho.

Just pick something that people accept as well-engineered or at least popular enough such that enough developers saw the code to make it correct and 'pythonic'.

[cconstantine]

I'm kind of in the same boat, but I think we should define what we want better.

The first thing you are going to want is a learning-python type book. Don't expect this to be a good desk reference. After you've "learned" python you're going to want a desk reference for use while making your app.

I don't know which book you should get... but I could use a programming-python book for experienced programmers... If I find I want to use it for a project (which is likely) I could use a python reference.

Any suggestions for alexnb185 and me?

[fogus]

Free books:

http://diveintopython.org/

http://gnosis.cx/TPiP/ (txt processing)

http://www.swaroopch.com/byteofpython/

http://homepage.mac.com/s_lott/books/python.html

http://homepage.mac.com/s_lott/books/oodesign.html

[fogus]

I've always liked: http://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/

[rsa]

Dive into Python is a good book. Its available online.