Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python: Best Practices for Writing Clean Code

I am a "home workshop" kind of programmer. I took one CS class in college 20 years ago and did well. I use code to help with work tasks (formatting a dozen Excel worksheets) and to comb through plaintext files of novels for interesting patterns (I teach English).

This book is just what I didn't know I wanted. Advice on how to automatically format code, how to dig into Github (where I have an account but am baffled), how to ask a good question on Stackexchange, how to name functions and variables clearly and consistently: these are all questions I have had without knowing how to articulate them.

Exceptionally well-written, clear, well-organized, and with a remarkable knack for separating wheat from chaff and understanding what a low-intermediate programmer like me will benefit from. It's superb.

I read this immediately after Python Crash Course. I experimented with Python about 20 years ago and now I'm back with it (and far more serious about it). There are a lot of interesting little nuances to be aware of, especially as you continue to develop larger, more in-depth code. That's what this book is. You'll get to see some of the back-end of how Python interprets code so you can avoid certain errors that would probably drive you absolutely nuts in debugging (enough of that will happen with your programming experience, you don't want to add to it).

The other benefit of this book is to learn how to write "clean", "pythonic" code. There are general conventions that professional software developers use that you will want to use from the beginning so you don't develop bad habits. If you've already done development, some of it may be a repeat for you and you'll simply skim past. If you're new to professional software development, you'll find this extremely helpful.

Keep in mind that the book does run through numerous applications of Python. It's a versatile language. You may have very specific needs and certain parts of the book may not pertain to you. Also, if you're just writing short scripts, this may not necessarily be for you (although you may want to pick up good habits if you think you might expand your use of Python later).

Good

I like the book. Instantly made some concepts make sense to me.

Apparently before it was packaged some stick substance was spilled on the cover. It's kind of minor, but not getting a nice fresh and clean book is kind of annoying.

There are dozens of books which offer a nearly identical introduction to Python. Beyond the Basic Stuff is not a reference, not an introduction; the content is unique and it is so well written you could read chapters at night.

It offers a compilation of things you might learn the hard way after a few years of coming back to your code and wondering what "var1", "var2" and "tmp" were for... reading through print debugging statements, useless comments and duplicate code.

The practical benefit of good style is a major theme. It also includes a valuable survey of commonly misused syntax, gotchas, efficiency, and some "esoteric oddities", Python tricks and lessons I have not seen in any other books.

No Starch Press reliably puts out great books. The print quality, bold section headings, and immaculate editing made this a joy to read.

One of the most boring books I’ve ever read...however, this book has taken my python game to new levels. So far, this is one of the most in depth python tutorials for people looking to get past the monotonous intro books that all say the same thing. I will continue to use this book as a reference for years to come. It sits on my desk next to my keyboard and will likely stay there for a long time.

I have several Python books that are basically reference books now. This is one of them. Good information, nicely written and useful. So far all of my "No Press" books have been good. Although, the binding does have something to be desired. But I'll continue to order from them if the book is worth having on my shelf.

These books, while the cover binding sucks, are excellent instructional texts. I have three of their books on Linux, and this makes two of their books on Python. I love how they present the material. It's so easy to understand that it's almost unfair. I am a huge fan of this publisher.

Totally recommended except that it is printed in black and white.

After coming from Eric Mathes' "Python Crash Course" I was hoping this book would maybe be a bit of a challenge. But it wasn't. I definitely learnt a few cool things and it has helped me here and there, but I wouldn't say this material is much further than 'basic' definitely still worth a read though.

I bought this book after havind read "Automate the boring stuff with Python" and maybe I expected too much from this book. It still has plenty of useful content, but this one is less practically oriented.and its content is less.

Can't say that I learn alot from this book. It's still pretty basic to me and I'm just a hobbist.

Very interesting for the beginner AND the advanced Python developers.