Allen B. Downey

Allen B. Downey’s Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist is an excellent resource for beginners and seasoned programmers looking to deepen their understanding of Python. The book stands out for its clear explanations and practical teaching of programming concepts. Downey effectively demystifies complex topics by breaking them into manageable sections, making it an ideal textbook for students and self-learners.

Good for Studying:
This book is highly recommended for anyone new to show more programming or transitioning from another language. Downey’s emphasis on problem-solving and computational thinking equips readers with a solid foundation in Python, complemented by engaging exercises that reinforce learning. The Kindle Edition’s interactive features enhance the study experience, allowing for a more dynamic engagement with the material. show less

I do a lot of statistics, but I use mostly frequentist techniques - Bayesian techniques usually seem to me like more trouble than they are worth, so I wanted to read the author's "Think Bayes", also published in paperback by O'Reilly, but all the code in it is Python. So I got this first. I have been coding since 1971, and at this late stage, most programming languages bore me - I'm almost always more interested in the interface, and I have used Hypercard and Realbasic (now Xojo) for that show more reason. Anyway, this book is pretty good. My only complaint is that it doesn't actually tell you the nitty-gritty of getting started in Python - that it comes with the Mac operating system (but isn't version 3), and that you can use IDLE, and how other IDE's work etc. Fortunately, in modern times, if you just go to the Python web site, or better, to YouTube, you can find a lot of very good instructional material and fill in the blanks. show less

I liked this book very much.
It has some very interesting and new content which I didn't expect from a perl book
but the author is a very original guy.
If you want to learn perl fast , I think a pre-requisite but Randal Schwartz's book "Learning Perl" is good also...

Excellent introduction to Python and computer programming. Good one for kids.