Making Use of Python

Rating:
Summary: Not quite an expert
Review: I am an application developer in Python, so I have high expectations of a book on that language. This treatment was incomplete (no list comprehensions!) and fragmented. Many of the chapters are full of filler instead of useable information. The examples use a poor coding style and look like the programmer was trying to code C++ or Basic. There are a lot of technical errors, too. If you are serious about learning this language you best figure out how to use the Language Reference Manual and Library Reference Manual that are available on the Python web site. Sorry to give such a negative review, but I don't appreciate having my time wasted.

Rating:
Summary: A little bit of everything
Review: I borrowed this book from a library and have never used it, because I have not found anything useful in it. I am an advanced software developer who just recently discovered Python. However, I cannot tell how useful this book would be to a beginner. Maybe it is of some use but there are better books than this one.

I just made a few attempts to find some useful information in it and never suceeded. Either I could not find it or the stuff which I found was inaccurate and incomplete.

One example: I was looking for access modes to be used when reading or writing files. I found a table containing the access modes and their descriptions. To my surprise I realized that there were different codes with nearly identical descriptions, like:
r+ Opens a file for both reading and writing
w+ Opens a file for both writing and reading.
Nowhere in this book could I find some more detailed information and explanation of the difference.

I have two other books on Python which I like very much and recommend them both:

- Python Visual Quickstart Guide by Chris Fehily, for beginners
- Python 2.1 Bible by D. Brueck and S.Tanner, for intermediate programmers.

Do not buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: An Eye-Opener
Review: When I picked up this book, I didn't realize what a powerful, multipurpose language Python is. This book really opened my eyes to the many development tasks that Python can help with. And the task-oriented approach was easy to follow. An extremely worthwhile read.