Chapter 1. Python Pocket Reference
Introduction
Python is a general-purpose, object-oriented, and open source computer programming language. It is commonly used for both standalone programs and scripting applications in a wide variety of domains, by hundreds of thousands of developers.
Python is designed to optimize developer productivity, software quality, program portability, and component integration. Python programs run on most platforms in common use, including mainframes and supercomputers, Unix and Linux, Windows and Macintosh, Palm OS and WinCE, Java and .NET, and more.
This pocket reference summarizes Python statements and types, built-in functions, commonly used library modules, and other prominent Python tools. It is intended to serve as a concise reference tool for developers and is designed to be a companion to other books that provide tutorials, code examples, and other learning materials.
This second edition covers Python Release 2.2 and later. It has been thoroughly updated for recent language and library changes and expanded for new topics. Most of it applies to earlier releases as well, with the exception of recent language extensions.
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