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Python Essential Reference by Beazley — book cover

Python Essential Reference

by Beazley
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Overview

Python Essential Reference is the definitive reference guide to the Python programming language – the one authoritative handbook that reliably untangles and explains both the core Python language and the most essential parts of the Python library.

Designed for the practicing programmer, the book is concise, to the point, and highly accessible. It also includes detailed information on the Python library and many advanced subjects that is not available in either the official Python documentation or any other single reference source.

Thoroughly updated to reflect the significant new programming language features and library modules that have been introduced in Python 2.6 and Python 3, the fourth edition of Python Essential Reference is the definitive guide for programmers who need to modernize existing Python code or who are planning an eventual migration to Python 3. Programmers starting a new Python project will find detailed coverage of contemporary Python programming idioms.

This fourth edition of Python Essential Reference features numerous improvements, additions, and updates:

  • Coverage of new language features, libraries, and modules introduced into Python since the previous edition
  • Practical coverage of Python's more advanced features including generators, coroutines, closures, metaclasses, and decorators
  • Expanded coverage of library modules related to concurrent programming including threads, subprocesses, and the new multiprocessing module
  • Up-to-the-minute coverage of how to use Python 2.6’s forward compatibility mode to evaluate code for Python 3 compatibility
  • Improvedorganization for even faster answers and better usability
  • Updates to reflect modern Python programming style and idioms
  • Updated and improved example code
  • Deep coverage of low-level system and networking library modules – including the options not covered in the standard documentation

About the Author, Beazley

David M. Beazley is the developer of SWIG, a popular software package for intergrating C programs with interpreted languages, including Python, Perl, and Tcl. Beazley has been actively involved with the Python community since 1996 and is currently working on scripting language extension-building tools. He spent seven years working in the Theoretical Physics Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he helped pioneer the use of Python with simulation software running on parallel computers. He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago, where he enjoys tormenting students with insane programming projects in operating systems, networks, and compliers.

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Editorials

Library Journal

Though Python is a relatively new programming language, it has quite a significant audience owing to its sensible syntax. An active user of Python since 1996, Beazley provides ample information on the fundamentals of versions 2.0 and 2.1, including syntax, functions, operators, classes, and libraries. This is first and foremost a reference, so he avoids lengthy discussions of Python's superiority. Peppered with good code samples and featuring a companion web site with more extensive pieces, this title should be on hand in larger libraries. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Written for programmers, this reference guide to the Python programming language covers the core language, some 100 modules in the standard library, and the techniques used to extend Python with procedures in C or C++. Coverage expands on and clarifies existing Python documentation, especially for advanced topics such as operating system interfaces, threads, network programming, and Unicode. Beazley is the developer of a software package for integrating C programs with interpreted languages. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Book Details

Published
October 25, 1999
Publisher
QUE
Pages
352
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780735709010

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