Preface
Part I. Getting Started
1. A Python Q&A Session
Why Do People Use Python?
Is Python a Scripting Language?
Okay, But What's the Downside?
Who Uses Python Today?
What Can I Do with Python?
What Are Python's Technical Strengths?
How Does Python Stack Up to Language X?
2. How Python Runs Programs
Introducing the Python Interpreter
Program Execution
Execution Model Variations
3. How You Run Programs
Interactive Coding
System Command Lines and Files
Clicking Windows File Icons
Module Imports and Reloads
The IDLE User Interface
Other IDEs
Embedding Calls
Frozen Binary Executables
Text Editor Launch Options
Other Launch Options
Future Possibilities?
Which Option Should I Use?
Part I Exercises
Part II. Types and Operations
4. Numbers
Python Program Structure
Why Use Built-in Types?
Numbers
Python Expression Operators
Numbers in Action
The Dynamic Typing Interlude
5. Strings
String Literals
Strings in Action
String Formatting
String Methods
General Type Categories
6. Lists and Dictionaries
Lists
Lists in Action
Dictionaries
Dictionaries in Action
7. Tuples, Files, and Everything Else
Tuples
Files
Type Categories Revisited
Object Generality
References Versus Copies
Comparisons, Equality, and Truth
Python's Type Hierarchies
Other Types in Python
Built-in Type Gotchas
Part II Exercises
Part III. Statements and Syntax
8. Assignment, Expressions, and Print
Assignment Statements
Expression Statements
Print Statements
9. if Tests
if Statements
Python Syntax Rules
Truth Tests
10. while and for Loops
while Loops
break, continue, pass, and the Loop else
for Loops
Loop Variations
11. Documenting Python Code
The Python Documentation Interlude
Common Coding Gotchas
Part III Exercises
Part IV. Functions
12. Function Basics
Why Use Functions?
Coding Functions
A First Example: Definitions and Calls
A Second Example: Intersecting Sequences
13. Scopes and Arguments
Scope Rules
The global Statement
Scopes and Nested Functions
Passing Arguments
Special Argument Matching Modes
14. Advanced Function Topics
Anonymous Functions: lambda
Applying Functions to Arguments
Mapping Functions Over Sequences
Functional Programming Tools
List Comprehensions
Generators and Iterators
Function Design Concepts
Function Gotchas
Part IV Exercises
Part V. Modules
15. Modules: The Big Picture
Why Use Modules?
Python Program Architecture
How Imports Work
16. Module Coding Basics
Module Creation
Module Usage
Module Namespaces
Reloading Modules
17. Module Packages
Package Import Basics
Package Import Example
Why Use Package Imports?
A Tale of Three Systems
18. Advanced Module Topics
Data Hiding in Modules
Enabling Future Language Features
Mixed Usage Modes: --
--name--
-- and --
--main--
--
Changing the Module Search Path
The import as Extension
Module Design Concepts
Module Gotchas
Part V Exercises
Part VI. Classes and OOP
19. OOP: The Big Picture
Why Use Classes?
OOP from 30,000 Feet
20. Class Coding Basics
Classes Generate Multiple Instance Objects
Classes Are Customized by Inheritance
Classes Can Intercept Python Operators
21. Class Coding Details
The Class Statement
Methods
Inheritance
Operator Overloading
Namespaces: The Whole Story
22. Designing with Classes
Python and OOP
Classes as Records
OOP and Inheritance: 'is-a' Relationships
OOP and Composition:
'has-a' Relationships
OOP and Delegation
Multiple Inheritance
Classes Are Objects: Generic Object Factories
Methods Are Objects: Bound or Unbound
Documentation Strings Revisited
Classes Versus Modules
23. Advanced Class Topics
Extending Built-in Types
Pseudo-Private Class Attributes
'New Style' Classes in Python 2.2
Class Gotchas
Part VI Exercises
Part VII. Exceptions and Tools
24. Exception Basics
Why Use Exceptions?
Exception Handling: The Short Story
The try/except/else Statement
The try/finally Statement
The raise Statement
The assert Statement
25. Exception Objects
String-Based Exceptions
Class-Based Exceptions
General raise Statement Forms
26. Designing with Exceptions
Nesting Exception Handlers
Exception Idioms
Exception Design Tips
Exception Gotchas
Core Language Summary
Part VII Exercises
Part VIII. The Outer Layers
27. Common Tasks in Python
Conversions, Numbers, and Comparisons
Manipulating Strings
Data Structure Manipulations
Manipulating Files and Directories
Internet-Related Modules
Executing Programs
Debugging, Testing, Timing, Profiling
Exercises
28. Frameworks
An Automated Complaint System
Interfacing with COM: Cheap Public Relations
A Tkinter-Based GUI Editor for Managing Form Data
Jython: The Felicitous Union of Python and Java
Exercises
29. Python Resources
Layers of Community
The Process
Services and Products
The Legal Framework: The Python Software Foundation
Software
Popular Third-Party Software
Web Application Frameworks
Tools for Python Developers
Part IX. Appendixes
A. Installation and Configuration
B. Solutions to Exercises
Index
