Learn to Program Using Python

Book excerpt: Are you a... Systems administrator frustrated by the deficiencies of your existing tools? Web site creator wanting to produce more dynamic content? Computer user with a desire to know what's going on inside the box? Then Learn to Program Using Python is the book for you. You will find this book to be an ideal starting point for learning the essentials of computer programming. Assuming no prior knowledge (other than basic computer operation), this unintimidating and clearly written guide introduces you to programming terminology, fundamental concepts, and techniques for writing actual code. Python is ideal for novice programmers: it is available for free; it has simple syntax but powerful features; it supports lots of programming styles; it runs on many platforms; it has a friendly and helpful user community. This book uses the Python language to teach you the fundamentals of computer programming. Once you master the basic techniques and concepts you learn in this book, you can apply them to any language you choose to work with. Learn to Program Using Python is based on a popular on-line tutorial that has been expanded and enhanced for this book. It takes you step-by-step through all the essential programming topics. You will learn about: Sequences, branching, and looping Data types and variables Input and output Modular programming Handling files and text Errors Recursion Namespaces Object-oriented programming Event-driven programming Regular expressions Debugging In addition, the book introduces elements of programming style and offers a look at the thinking and steps involved in designing a software solution. Several sample applications illustrate techniques and ideas in action.