Head First Python, 2nd Edition

Advance Praise for Head First Python, Second Edition

“A Python book should be as much fun as the language is. With Head First Python, master teacher Paul Barry delivers a quick-paced, entertaining and engaging guide to the language that will leave you well prepared to write real-world Python code.”

—Dr. Eric Freeman, computer scientist, technology educator, and former CTO of Disney Online

“Head First Python is a great introduction to both the language and how to use Python in the real world. It’s full of practical advice on coding for the web and databases, and it doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects like collections and immutability. If you’re looking for a great introduction to Python, then this is the place to start.”

—David Griffiths, author and Agile coach

“With major changes and updates from the first edition, this edition of Head First Python is sure to become a favourite in the rapidly growing collection of great Python guides. The content is structured to deliver high impact to the reader, and is heavily focused on being productive as soon as possible. All the necessary topics are covered with great clarity, and the entertaining delivery makes this book a delight to read.”

—Caleb Hattingh, author of 20 Python Libraries You Aren’t Using (But Should) and Learning Cython

“Here’s a clear and clean entry into the Python pool. No bellyflops, and you’ll go deeper than you expected to.”

—Bill Lubanovic, author of Introducing Python

Praise for the first edition

“Head First Python is a great introduction to not just the Python language, but Python as it’s used in the real world. The book goes beyond the syntax to teach you how to create applications for Android phones, Google’s App Engine, and more.”

—David Griffiths, author and Agile coach

“Where other books start with theory and progress to examples, Head First Python jumps right in with code and explains the theory as you read along. This is a much more effective learning environment, because it engages the reader to do from the very beginning. It was also just a joy to read. It was fun without being flippant and informative without being condescending. The breadth of examples and explanation covered the majority of what you’ll use in your job every day. I’ll recommend this book to anyone starting out on Python.”

—Jeremy Jones, coauthor of Python for Unix and Linux System Administration

Praise for other Head First books

“Kathy and Bert’s Head First Java transforms the printed page into the closest thing to a GUI you’ve ever seen. In a wry, hip manner, the authors make learning Java an engaging ‘what’re they gonna do next?’ experience.”

—Warren Keuffel, Software Development Magazine

“Beyond the engaging style that drags you forward from know-nothing into exalted Java warrior status, Head First Java covers a huge amount of practical matters that other texts leave as the dreaded ‘exercise for the reader.…’ It’s clever, wry, hip and practical—there aren’t a lot of textbooks that can make that claim and live up to it while also teaching you about object serialization and network launch protocols.”

—Dr. Dan Russell, Director of User Sciences and Experience Research IBM Almaden Research Center (and teaches Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University)

“It’s fast, irreverent, fun, and engaging. Be careful—you might actually learn something!”

—Ken Arnold, former Senior Engineer at Sun Microsystems Coauthor (with James Gosling, creator of Java), The Java Programming Language

“I feel like a thousand pounds of books have just been lifted off of my head.”

—Ward Cunningham, inventor of the Wiki and founder of the Hillside Group

“Just the right tone for the geeked-out, casual-cool guru coder in all of us. The right reference for practical development strategies—gets my brain going without having to slog through a bunch of tired, stale professor-speak.”

—Travis Kalanick, cofounder and CEO of Uber

“There are books you buy, books you keep, books you keep on your desk, and thanks to O’Reilly and the Head First crew, there is the penultimate category, Head First books. They’re the ones that are dog-eared, mangled, and carried everywhere. Head First SQL is at the top of my stack. Heck, even the PDF I have for review is tattered and torn.”

—Bill Sawyer, ATG Curriculum Manager, Oracle

“This book’s admirable clarity, humor and substantial doses of clever make it the sort of book that helps even nonprogrammers think well about problem-solving.”

—Cory Doctorow, co-editor of Boing Boing Author, Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom and Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town

Praise for other Head First books

“I received the book yesterday and started to read it…and I couldn’t stop. This is definitely très ‘cool.’ It is fun, but they cover a lot of ground and they are right to the point. I’m really impressed.”

—Erich Gamma, IBM Distinguished Engineer, and coauthor of Design Patterns

“One of the funniest and smartest books on software design I’ve ever read.”

—Aaron LaBerge, VP Technology, ESPN.com

“What used to be a long trial and error learning process has now been reduced neatly into an engaging paperback.”

—Mike Davidson, CEO, Newsvine, Inc.

“Elegant design is at the core of every chapter here, each concept conveyed with equal doses of pragmatism and wit.”

—Ken Goldstein, Executive Vice President, Disney Online

“I ♥ Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML—it teaches you everything you need to learn in a ‘fun-coated’ format.”

—Sally Applin, UI Designer and Artist

“Usually when reading through a book or article on design patterns, I’d have to occasionally stick myself in the eye with something just to make sure I was paying attention. Not with this book. Odd as it may sound, this book makes learning about design patterns fun.

“While other books on design patterns are saying ‘Bueller…Bueller…Bueller…’ this book is on the float belting out ‘Shake it up, baby!’”

—Eric Wuehler

“I literally love this book. In fact, I kissed this book in front of my wife.”

—Satish Kumar