Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming

Author: Eric Matthes
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About This Book

Python Crash Course is a fast-paced, thorough introduction to Python that will have you writing programs, solving problems, and making things that work in no time.

In the first half of the book, you’ll learn about basic programming concepts, such as lists, dictionaries, classes, and loops, and practice writing clean and readable code with exercises for each topic. You’ll also learn how to make your programs interactive and how to test your code safely before adding it to a project. In the second half of the book, you’ll put your new knowledge into practice with three substantial projects: a Space Invaders–inspired arcade game, data visualizations with Python’s super-handy libraries, and a simple web app you can deploy online.

 

As you work through Python Crash Course you’ll learn how to:

*Use powerful Python libraries and tools, including matplotlib, NumPy, and Pygal

*Make 2D games that respond to keypresses and mouse clicks, and that grow more difficult as the game progresses

*Work with data to generate interactive visualizations

*Create and customize Web apps and deploy them safely online

*Deal with mistakes and errors so you can solve your own programming problems

Comments

by akirasb   2021-12-10

From my understanding, there are tons of great resources, but the biggest hurdle is just getting started. So go choose a resource and just start going!

I'm currently in the same boat as you and after looking around a bit I'm going to go to the library and pick up this book on the weekend: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1593276036?pf_rd_p=46535598-d2e0-4bc4-8392-182d8c1e93fc&pf_rd_r=EB7B57WGWNRRQ0MR63TR

by ttelbarto   2021-12-10

Hi, There are so many resources out there I don't know where to start! I would work through some kind of beginner python book (recommendation below). Then maybe try Andrew Ng's Machine Learning Coursera course to get a taste of Machine Learning. Once you have completed both of those I would reassess what you would like to focus on. I will include some other books I would recommend below.

Beginner Python - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Python-Crash-Course-Hands-Project-Based/dp/1593276036/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=python+books&qid=1565035502&s=books&sr=1-3

Machine Learning Coursera - https://www.coursera.org/learn/machine-learning

Python Machine Learning - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hands-Machine-Learning-Scikit-Learn-TensorFlow/dp/1491962291/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2QF98N9Q9GCJ9&keywords=hands+on+data+science&qid=1565035593&s=books&sprefix=hands+on+data+sc%2Cstripbooks%2C183&sr=1-7

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Data-Science-Scratch-Joel-Grus/dp/1492041130/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PJEJNNUBNQ8N&keywords=data+science+from+scratch&qid=1565035617&s=books&sprefix=data+science+from+s%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-1

Statistics (intro) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Naked-Statistics-Stripping-Dread-Data/dp/039334777X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=naked+statistics&qid=1565035650&s=books&sr=1-1

More stats (I haven't read this but gets recommended) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Stats-Allen-B-Downey/dp/1491907339/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=think+stats&qid=1565035674&s=books&sr=1-1

by aangush   2021-12-10

I am a beginner in Python, and I have been learning through a book called Python Crash Course, by Eric Matthes. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn python, but also learn how to write effective programs, and understand how to interpret programming problems. Eric Matthes takes a project-based-learning approach, and provides lots of coding exercises throughout the book, and you can find the answers for all of these on the book's website. Here is the link to the book on amazon.

by startupshutdown5   2019-11-17

For beginners you might want to check out:

  • automate the boring stuff -python principles -python crash course
by zielu   2019-11-17

As books I found this pretty good: Python Crash Course - https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-Hands-Project-Based/dp/1593276036

Automate The Boring Stuff with Python - it's free to read online and you can find some tutorial videos on youtube - https://automatetheboringstuff.com/

There is also an Udemy course for Automate, but it's essentialy a a book and youtube videos combined together - If you really want it, I woukd wait for sale.

by startupshutdown5   2019-11-17

For beginners you might want to check out:

  • automate the boring stuff -python principles -python crash course
by [deleted]   2019-11-17

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Python-Crash-Course-Hands-Project-Based/dp/1593276036

Here you go, if you do decide to buy it get used copies as they're cheaper :)

by Fender420   2019-11-17

Buy this book. https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-Hands-Project-Based/dp/1593276036/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=python+crash+course&qid=1562493760&s=gateway&sr=8-3 I recommend it to everyone. They also sell them at booksamillion, but I prefer the amazon kindle version as it's so convenient to reference when working. It's structured perfectly and it involves projects. The chapters perfectly step you up from lists, to dictionaries, to classes etc.

by startupshutdown5   2019-08-24

For beginners you might want to check out:

  • automate the boring stuff -python principles -python crash course
by startupshutdown5   2019-08-24

For beginners you might want to check out:

  • automate the boring stuff -python principles -python crash course
by startupshutdown5   2019-08-24

For beginners you might want to check out:

  • automate the boring stuff -python principles -python crash course
by mamser102   2019-07-21

i really like the book project based learning python, it was really fun to follow.

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-Hands-Project-Based/dp/1593276036

by rbvm1949   2019-07-21

Thank you, would it be better for me to do Python Principles over a book like 'Python Crash Course'?

by takethecannoli4   2019-07-21

Sure. But stay away from Code Academy, dude. It's buggy, slow and doesn't teach you how to code and run programs on your machine. You should be coding on your actual environment, not on some shitty server. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is much better - and free. It also has an Udemy course. Python Crash Course is another good option.

by piefawn   2019-07-21

if you have 30-50 dollars to spare I highly recommend this book

ive been using it taking notes on my computer and doing the exercises it has that you follow along with and I love it!

by piefawn   2019-07-21

I recommend this book to anyone starting, especially python, I am a beginner myself, I am on chapter 4 and this book makes me happy every time I open it up

by JFar2012   2019-07-21

I can vouch Python Crash Course. It touches on everything per chapter and has some pretty awesome projects at the end. Definitely worth checking out.

by luxuryUX   2019-07-21

Also, do you have any recommendations for getting started? I'm working my way throughthis book at the moment but if you have any other recommendations for this specific project please let me know

by trying-to-contribute   2019-07-21

There are a lot of books such as:

​

https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Kids-Code-Parent-Friendly-ebook/dp/B00WJ049XI

​

that cover teaching python to children.

​

I would suggest something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-Hands-Project-Based/dp/1593276036

for you.

by anonymous   2019-07-21

Not sure what's happening on your side, but this code works fine. Here it goes (python 3.6, BSP 4.6.3):

import requests
from bs4 import BeautifulSoup

def s_comments(url):
    headers = {'User-Agent': 'Bob\'s_request'}
    response = requests.get(url, headers=headers )
    if response.status_code != 200:
        raise ConnectionError

    soup = BeautifulSoup(response.content)
    return soup.find_all(class_="a-expander-content a-expander-partial- collapse-content")


url = 'https://www.amazon.com/dp/1593276036'    
reviews = s_comments(url)
for i, review in enumerate(reviews):
    print('---- {} ----'.format(i))
    print(review.text)