Python in a Nutshell, First Edition
reviewed by Eric Walstad, May 2005
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| Python in a nutshell is an excellent
reference for the experienced Python programmer. Alex Martelli does a
wonderful job focusing on the book's goal of being a concise reference
to important select portions of the Python language. His coverage of
complex topics is a well balanced blend of written explanation and code
examples. The book will be too advanced for newcomers to Python as well
as beginning programmers, but for those looking to polish their Python
skills this book is a real gem |
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| Like the other Nutshell books from
O'Reilly, Python in a Nutshell is valuable as a desk reference. It has
an excellent index that makes finding topics easy. Experienced
programmers will appreciate the lack of "fluff" as each topic is
explained efficiently. Martelli goes into detail where it is needed
most. For example the coverage of Python's exception mechanisms is
quite thorough and includes an insightful section on error-checking
strategies. However, the coverage of some topics may be considered too
cursory. I will need to search for more on Python's struct module as
the roughly 2 pages on module struct, without any examples, left me
wondering just how and why I'd need this module. This was the
exception, rather than the rule, though. Martelli doesn't try to cover
too much in this book and topics deemed too remedial or too tangential
are noted by references to further reading. This is why I consider
Python in a Nutshell to be an excellent reference while designing and
coding. |
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| Alex Martelli's
writing style reflects what must be a very deep knowledge of the Python
language. I get the feeling he knows Python at the most basic level
which is reflected in his concise explanation of topics. Code examples
are used sparingly throughout the book, mostly when including them
enhances or augments the topic's explanation. I found the book filled
with Pythonic gems: knowledgeable reflections on why one idiom is
better implemented one way than another way. I found the section on
Optimization especially enlightening. It contains Python specific
optimization techniques I've not seen in other Python books, like why
there are big-O performance gains achieved by avoiding string
concatenation in preference to list operations or using operator % for
string formatting. In general I was left feeling like I had a glimpse
of how Python programming *should* be done. |
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| The preface of the book includes an
explanation that the book is meant for those with prior Python
experience and/or experience developing in other languages. There is
little coverage of the Python basics, except for the first few chapters
which will help bring the reader up to speed quickly. I found the lack
of review of the basics a refreshing diversion from the
remedial-first-section-with-huge-code-listings pattern found in so many
other programming books. Alex Martelli is so good at explaining how and
why Python works the way it does that profuse code examples would be a
distraction anyway. However, I think I've been collecting Python 'how'
and 'why' questions for years now and was ready to have those questions
answered. A newcomer to the language might not be as primed as I was
and therefore might not appreciate Alex Martelli's obvious Python Zen.
I expect to keep Python in a nutshell close at hand during all stages
of development with Python. Alex Martelli has created an excellent
reference that doesn't try to do too much but does achieve the goal of
covering the most important parts of Python. Like Python in general,
Martelli's writing style is concise, clear and readable. His book
includes an insider's explanations of how best to program with Python.
This book is a valuable reference for experienced programmers ready to
take their Python skills to the next level. |
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