Learning Python, 5th Edition Powerful Object-Oriented Programming

Get a comprehensive, in-depth introduction to the core Python language with this hands-on book. Based on author Mark Lutz’s popular training course, this updated fifth edition will help you quickly write efficient, high-quality code with Python. It’s an ideal way to begin, whether you’re new to programming or a professional developer versed in other languages. Complete with quizzes, exercises, and helpful illustrations, this easy-to-follow, self-paced tutorial gets you started with both Python 2.7 and 3.3— the latest releases in the 3.X and 2.X lines—plus all other releases in common use today. You’ll also learn some advanced language features that recently have become more common in Python code. Explore Python’s major built-in object types such as numbers, lists, and dictionariesCreate and process objects with Python statements, and learn Python’s general syntax modelUse functions to avoid code redundancy and package code for reuseOrganize statements, functions, and other tools into larger components with modulesDive into classes: Python’s object-oriented programming tool for structuring codeWrite large programs with Python’s exception-handling model and development toolsLearn advanced Python tools, including decorators, descriptors, metaclasses, and Unicode processing Getting StartedChapter 1 : A Python Q&A Session Why Do People Use Python?Is Python a “Scripting Language”?OK, but What’s the Downside?Who Uses Python Today?What Can I Do with Python?How Is Python Developed and Supported?What Are Python’s Technical Strengths?How Does Python Stack Up to Language X?Chapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 2 : How Python Runs Programs Introducing the Python InterpreterProgram ExecutionExecution Model VariationsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 3 : How You Run Programs The Interactive PromptSystem Command Lines and FilesUnix-Style Executable Scripts: #!Clicking File IconsModule Imports and ReloadsUsing exec to Run Module FilesThe IDLE User InterfaceOther IDEsOther Launch OptionsWhich Option Should I Use?Chapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersTest Your Knowledge: Part I ExercisesTypes and OperationsChapter 4 : Introducing Python Object Types The Python Conceptual HierarchyWhy Use Built-in Types?Python’s Core Data TypesNumbersStringsListsDictionariesTuplesFilesOther Core TypesChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 5 : Numeric Types Numeric Type BasicsNumbers in ActionOther Numeric TypesNumeric ExtensionsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 6 : The Dynamic Typing Interlude The Case of the Missing Declaration StatementsShared ReferencesDynamic Typing Is EverywhereChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 7 : String Fundamentals This Chapter’s ScopeString BasicsString LiteralsStrings in ActionString MethodsString Formatting ExpressionsString Formatting Method CallsGeneral Type CategoriesChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 8 : Lists and Dictionaries ListsLists in ActionDictionariesDictionaries in ActionChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 9 : Tuples, Files, and Everything Else TuplesFilesCore Types Review and SummaryBuilt-in Type GotchasChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersTest Your Knowledge: Part II ExercisesStatements and SyntaxChapter 10 : Introducing Python Statements The Python Conceptual Hierarchy RevisitedPython’s StatementsA Tale of Two ifsA Quick Example: Interactive LoopsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 11 : Assignments, Expressions, and Prints Assignment StatementsExpression StatementsPrint OperationsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 12 : if Tests and Syntax Rules if StatementsPython Syntax RevisitedTruth Values and Boolean TestsThe if/else Ternary ExpressionChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 13 : while and for Loops while Loopsbreak, continue, pass, and the Loop elsefor LoopsLoop Coding TechniquesChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 14 : Iterations and Comprehensions Iterations: A First LookList Comprehensions: A First Detailed LookOther Iteration ContextsNew Iterables in Python 3.XOther Iteration TopicsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 15 : The Documentation Interlude Python Documentation SourcesCommon Coding GotchasChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersTest Your Knowledge: Part III ExercisesFunctions and GeneratorsChapter 16 : Function Basics Why Use Functions?Coding FunctionsA First Example: Definitions and CallsA Second Example: Intersecting SequencesChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 17 : Scopes Python Scope BasicsThe global StatementScopes and Nested FunctionsThe nonlocal Statement in 3.XWhy nonlocal? State Retention OptionsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 18 : Arguments Argument-Passing BasicsSpecial Argument-Matching ModesThe min Wakeup Call!Generalized Set FunctionsEmulating the Python 3.X print FunctionChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 19 : Advanced Function Topics Function Design ConceptsRecursive FunctionsFunction Objects: Attributes and AnnotationsAnonymous Functions: lambdaFunctional Programming ToolsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 20 : Comprehensions and Generations List Comprehensions and Functional ToolsGenerator Functions and ExpressionsComprehension Syntax SummaryChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 21 : The Benchmarking Interlude Timing Iteration AlternativesTiming Iterations and Pythons with timeitOther Benchmarking Topics: pystonesFunction GotchasChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersTest Your Knowledge: Part IV ExercisesModules and PackagesChapter 22 : Modules: The Big Picture Why Use Modules?Python Program ArchitectureHow Imports WorkByte Code Files: __pycache__ in Python 3.2+The Module Search PathChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 23 : Module Coding Basics Module CreationModule UsageModule NamespacesReloading ModulesChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 24 : Module Packages Package Import BasicsPackage Import ExampleWhy Use Package Imports?Package Relative ImportsPython 3.3 Namespace PackagesChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 25 : Advanced Module Topics Module Design ConceptsData Hiding in ModulesEnabling Future Language Features: __future__Mixed Usage Modes: __name__ and __main__Example: Dual Mode CodeChanging the Module Search PathThe as Extension for import and fromExample: Modules Are ObjectsImporting Modules by Name StringExample: Transitive Module ReloadsModule GotchasChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersTest Your Knowledge: Part V ExercisesClasses and OOPChapter 26 : OOP: The Big Picture Why Use Classes?OOP from 30,000 FeetChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 27 : Class Coding Basics Classes Generate Multiple Instance ObjectsClasses Are Customized by InheritanceClasses Can Intercept Python OperatorsThe World’s Simplest Python ClassChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 28 : A More Realistic Example Step 1: Making InstancesStep 2: Adding Behavior MethodsStep 3: Operator OverloadingStep 4: Customizing Behavior by SubclassingStep 5: Customizing Constructors, TooStep 6: Using Introspection ToolsStep 7 (Final): Storing Objects in a DatabaseFuture DirectionsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 29 : Class Coding Details The class StatementMethodsInheritanceNamespaces: The ConclusionDocumentation Strings RevisitedClasses Versus ModulesChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 30 : Operator Overloading The BasicsIndexing and Slicing: __getitem__ and __setitem__Index Iteration: __getitem__Iterable Objects: __iter__ and __next__Membership: __contains__, __iter__, and __getitem__Attribute Access: __getattr__ and __setattr__String Representation: __repr__ and __str__Right-Side and In-Place Uses: __radd__ and __iadd__Call Expressions: __call__Comparisons: __lt__, __gt__, and OthersBoolean Tests: __bool__ and __len__Object Destruction: __del__Chapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 31 : Designing with Classes Python and OOPOOP and Inheritance: “Is-a” RelationshipsOOP and Composition: “Has-a” RelationshipsOOP and Delegation: “Wrapper” Proxy ObjectsPseudoprivate Class AttributesMethods Are Objects: Bound or UnboundClasses Are Objects: Generic Object FactoriesMultiple Inheritance: “Mix-in” ClassesOther Design-Related TopicsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 32 : Advanced Class Topics Extending Built-in TypesThe “New Style” Class ModelNew-Style Class ChangesNew-Style Class ExtensionsStatic and Class MethodsDecorators and Metaclasses: Part 1The super Built-in Function: For Better or Worse?Class GotchasChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersTest Your Knowledge: Part VI ExercisesExceptions and ToolsChapter 33 : Exception Basics Why Use Exceptions?Exceptions: The Short StoryChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 34 : Exception Coding Details The try/except/else StatementThe try/finally StatementUnified try/except/finallyThe raise StatementThe assert Statementwith/as Context ManagersChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 35 : Exception Objects Exceptions: Back to the FutureWhy Exception Hierarchies?Built-in Exception ClassesCustom Print DisplaysCustom Data and BehaviorChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 36 : Designing with Exceptions Nesting Exception HandlersException IdiomsException Design Tips and GotchasCore Language SummaryChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersTest Your Knowledge: Part VII ExercisesAdvanced TopicsChapter 37 : Unicode and Byte Strings String Changes in 3.XString BasicsCoding Basic StringsCoding Unicode StringsUsing 3.X bytes ObjectsUsing 3.X/2.6+ bytearray ObjectsUsing Text and Binary FilesUsing Unicode FilesOther String Tool Changes in 3.XChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 38 : Managed Attributes Why Manage Attributes?PropertiesDescriptors__getattr__ and __getattribute__Example: Attribute ValidationsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizChapter 39 : Decorators What’s a Decorator?The BasicsCoding Function DecoratorsCoding Class DecoratorsManaging Functions and Classes DirectlyExample: “Private” and “Public” AttributesExample: Validating Function ArgumentsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 40 : Metaclasses To Metaclass or Not to MetaclassThe Metaclass ModelDeclaring MetaclassesCoding MetaclassesInheritance and InstanceMetaclass MethodsExample: Adding Methods to ClassesExample: Applying Decorators to MethodsChapter SummaryTest Your Knowledge: QuizTest Your Knowledge: AnswersChapter 41 : All Good Things The Python ParadoxWhere to Go From HereEncore: Print Your Own Completion Certificate!AppendixesAppendix : Installation and Configuration Installing the Python InterpreterConfiguring PythonFor More HelpAppendix : The Python 3.3 Windows Launcher The Unix LegacyThe Windows LegacyIntroducing the New Windows LauncherA Windows Launcher TutorialPitfalls of the New Windows LauncherConclusions: A Net Win for WindowsAppendix : Python Changes and This Book Major 2.X/3.X DifferencesGeneral Remarks: 3.X ChangesFifth Edition Python Changes: 2.7, 3.2, 3.3Fourth Edition Python Changes: 2.6, 3.0, 3.1Third Edition Python Changes: 2.3, 2.4, 2.5Earlier and Later Python ChangesAppendix : Solutions to End-of-Part Exercises Part I, Getting StartedPart II, Types and OperationsPart III, Statements and SyntaxPart IV, Functions and GeneratorsPart V, Modules and PackagesPart VI, Classes and OOPPart VII, Exceptions and ToolsColophon