Reviews for Dive Into Python

1. Not for beginners, sure, but great otherwise

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, May 12th, 2009

   The product description for this book actually mentions that this book isn't for beginners - please bear this in mind. Coming from a background of more procedural programming in web scripting languages I quickly learned how much more 'in-depth' Python is - it wasn't easy to begin with. But after some patience and practice, the end result of following the book through was to give me a really solid grounding in Python. It makes it much easier for me to begin the next step (building a Django website).
   I found this book an invaluable way to get to grips with Python.

2. it is nothing for beginners

   Rated 3 out of 5 stars, May 12th, 2009

   This book is definitely not for beginners to computing. That's all I can say as I stop reading it after reading the first few chapters.

3. great Python kickstart

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, September 12th, 2006

   You might call Dive Into Python a "learn by recipe" book. Each chapter starts off with an example and goes on by explaining what makes the example work. It's not a cookbook but each of the examples actually does something useful, that's something that made me go back to the book after reading it.
   
   Python language basics are definitely covered but the book assumes the reader knows how to program. The book is sprinkled with helpful references to other languages like Java, C++, Perl, ... where appropriate. The writing style is fresh and entertaining. Lovely read, combine it with the Python tutorial and the on-line Python documentation and you're good to go.

4. python made simple...but not too simple

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, November 12th, 2004

   This book is perfectly aimed at people who have some experience of programming. It takes for granted that you are familiar with basic concepts of programming in general and object-oriented programming in particular, and gets on with telling you how Python works.

   The structure is very hands-on - showing you how to accomplish particular tasks in a very fast, but clear, way.

   What I found was that this book finally persuaded me as to Python's strengths.

   On top of that it's very readable, and well supported by useful examples that are readily applicable to real world problems.