Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes: Review | Learn Python for beginners

This is a short review of Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes, published by no starch press. I really like these no starch press books. This is a very good one; part 1 is a complete python course, it covers Python 2.7 and 3.0, starts from the basics and goes all the way up to object oriented programming using classes. It's great if you want to learn python coding from scratch, it is definitely a python for beginners book. Part 2 is all about putting what you learnt in the earlier section into practice with python tutorials. There are 3 projects ranging from building a game to creating web apps and there is a project covering data visualisation. If you complete everything in this book, you will learn how to code in Python. Definitely 4 stars. If you would like to buy the book you can do so here:-

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[bjornolsson]

By far the best basic programming book I have bought and am currently going through! Really well explained and you repeat everything a thousand times so you really feel that you learn what the book is teaching which is awesome!

[arvindmohansk]

I thoroughly recommend this book. I have been learning python myself using this book. All you need to do is finish a topic with a pencil and notes and practice it. Proceed next topic and again practice the previous topic. All topics are very well explained.

[basavarajb]

"Never judge a book by it's index"

[samuelmontypython]

Book is excellent! I got it on O’reilly Books and used it to learn Python because I was taking a break from Java. Excellent intro to data visualization and web scraping. 5/5

[MJ-spzh]

Damn I can smell the book from here...

[mw-cfdr]

Quite a posh sound gentleman! A Gentleman and a Scholar! :)

[southasianbrat]

This is like a story book of python, best beginner book I have ever read.

[wobbuffet]

I have a couple years of experience in writing Java code and know about advanced subjects. The first part of the book was very easy to get through and the exercises got quite repetitive. Subjects like lists and dictionaries get explained with pizzas and pizzatoppings and the exercises will ask you to write the same piece of code, but with sandwiches. I finished part I in about 5 days.

I missed some deeper explanations of things like classes and inheritance or just object oriented programming in general. I think this is important to cover in every book, even for absolute beginners. Knowing these things exist makes it easier to adapt later on if you decide to read a more advanced book, which I definitely recommend after this. Overall it is okay as an introduction, but I expected a little bit more.

My end goal is to make some websites and maybe an emulator or a game so I will be focussing on the Django, Flask and Pygame libraries.

[deathwanderer]

Started reading this book and I agree with you completely.

[Stickystickmen]

I agree. The chapter on Classes was very handy when first reading this book.

[shiny_swan]

It's already on its third edition, it probably improved a bunch ever since this review came out

[alzeNL]

I really like your review, its motivated for me to pick this book up (again) and use it. Also like your clear tone in talking about the book, reminds me of 'henrys cat' cartoon series from the 80s :D

[sch]

What should we buy/learn after this book (in python)?

[adrvascon]

Where the book really shines is in "try it yourself" sections. I really recommend this book, and please, don't skip "try it yourself" sections.

By the way, if you are stuck in some of these exercises of try it yourself section, you can find in google by the number and name of the exercise and you will find an official website of the author, where he put the solution of all the excersices

[Rai_]

Already learning but I got whole PDF in internet of it

[sushmitharao]

Hi, I'm completely new to Python but have a good hold on C and Java..To get started with automation with Python as a beginner which book would you recommend?

[grokes_workshop]

Best book to start programming in Python - I've reviewed it as well:)

[SuperSLTO]

Should i buy the printed copy or the PDF version?

[drueprofessor]

Just bought it on amazon :D I will get it in the mail soon

[ayushjindal]

Well what will you choose? Python Crash Course or Automate The Boring Stuff With Python