Reviews for Python Essential Reference (Developer's Library)

1. One of the worst Python books out there

   Rated 1 out of 5 stars, April 12th, 2010

   I'm really disappointed. I expected to find some good comparison between version 2.x and 3.x, but that's not the case. The (few) examples are like 3 lines long. It doesn't really tell you anything you can't find on the official reference (it actually does the opposite).

2. Best Python book

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, February 12nd, 2010

   I fully recommend this book for everyone interested in Python language. I have checked about 10 other Python books but this is in a class of it's own.

3. Awesome Python reference

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, January 12th, 2010

   I ordered this the other day from Amazon but I've been using it on Safari Books Online as well. It's rare to find a decent programming book these days that have quality examples within the book rather than making you reference their source code in a download from their site.
   
   If you're interested in Python, I'd recommend checking out the Python website's tutorial and if you like it most definitely pick up this book.
   
   The fourth edition has also removed the outdated version 2 only code and does a nice job of telling you what you'll have to do in Python 3. In my opinion you'll want to stick to Python 2 for now but it's nice to have a book that's slightly future proof and will help you out when you find you're going to have to make that move to Python 3.

4. An excellent reference to get the maximum out of Python

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

   The author of Python Essential Reference is David Beazley, who among other occupations created the open-source SWIG tool and the WAD mixed-languages debugger. His background is pervading throughout the book, in which the reader gets a clear sense of what is happening behind the Python programming language and learns how to use it efficiently instead of considering it as a black box.
   
   The first 20 pages give an overview of the language and although it is called a "tutorial introduction", it should be understood that its purpose is for a programmer to see what Python looks like, and not for a novice to get their first programming course.
   
   The next 156 pages offer a thorough review of the language and its environment. This is a very interesting part and should not be skipped even by people who already know Python. I said "review" but an experienced programmer should be able to learn the language by reading those chapters and putting them into practice with extra exercises.
   
   Instead of simply describing the language, the author also hands out tricks of the trade, showing how to acquire good coding habits while using an sensible approach regarding the performance, which is often essential in a dynamic language. The fourth edition is focusing on version 2.6 but offers some historical perspective by pointing out several elements that were recently improved, or which are about to change in upcoming versions.
   
   The first part of the book concludes with useful recommendations on program debugging and profiling.
   
   The second part contains 388 pages and goes through the Python library, presenting the essential modules together with examples, notes and advices. After all, this is a reference, so we shouldn't expect any less.
   
   Last but not least, the third part comprises 30 pages of precious information on Python/C interface for extending the language or embedding it in larger applications.
   
   An appendix introduces version 3 for those who are ready to make the leap.
   
   For the sake of completeness, if I were to make any reproach or wish for improvement, it would probably be on the overall presentation (and would be a very minor one). The style in the code excerpts could be more consistent in the first part of the book, and the second part could do with more emphasis on the ... reference ... character of the text, perhaps by providing a more convenient way to navigate through the different modules and by using more obvious styles for the different parts. I sometimes had the impression of reading a long listing of modules and methods instead of looking through a reference book. While the contents is superior to other references like "Python in a Nutshell", I found it easier to retrieve what I needed with the latter - a bit on the brink of obsolescence today - than I do now with the former.
   
   I would definitely recommend this book to anyone desirous of improving their programming skills in Python, or having to write optimized code because performance is an issue.