Fundamentals of Python Programming [pdf]
Love this book. I decided to make a career change about six months ago, found this book, and started learning Python. Over the past six months I've built four apps (after learning JS and a couple different frameworks), and have multiple interviews lined up for back-end roles.<p>For anyone interested in possibly writing an intro book (or some such material) in the future, here are a beginners thoughts on what makes this a good read:<p>(1) Heavy use of code examples, with accompanying explanations. For myself, at least, I learn a lot through examples, and seeing so many examples of functioning code was very beneficial. The explanations are easy to grasp, without dumbing the material down.
Moroever, the examples are integrated with the flow of the material presented (so never arbitrary) and many build on each other as the chapters progress.<p>(2) Functions are presented before lists.<p>(3) He takes time to provide clear, precise, and deep definitions and explanations of the concepts. There is a near-philosophical exactness (like the exactness of analytical philosophy) in the descriptions.<p>(4) Formatting and organization. There was never a time where I felt lost as to where I was, where I was going, or where prior material was. Skim the book yourself to see the myriad ways it formats and presents the material to make study easy on the reader.<p>(5) The number of exercises/problems at the end of each chapter.