{"id":8190,"date":"2019-08-01T12:46:52","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T19:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/?p=8190"},"modified":"2023-07-08T15:34:02","modified_gmt":"2023-07-08T22:34:02","slug":"best-python-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-science\/best-python-books\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Python Books to Get You Coding Like a Pro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Python can be applied to a variety of programming tasks, like software development, website development, general server scripting, database management, debugging, and much more. So it\u2019s no surprise that Python programmers are highly sought after. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Peter Norvig, director of search quality at Google, “Python has been an important part of Google since the beginning and remains so as the system grows and evolves. Today dozens of Google engineers use Python, and we’re looking for more people with skills in this language.” <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get started in the fast lane, you\u2019ll need some good Python books to learn Python. There\u2019s no shortage of good Python books, but like learning any new skill, it\u2019s essential to start with the right resources. It’s important here to figure out which is the best book for Python beginners, and which book you should read to learn Python vs. more advanced books.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So we did our homework and identified the <\/span>best Python books<\/span> to set you off on the right path. The list below features some of the <\/span>best books to learn Python<\/span> and can be a valuable resource for beginners or seasoned veterans alike.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Python Books<\/span>: Introductory <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Which book should I read to learn Python?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Head<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Head First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide (2nd Edition)<\/b><\/a>: <\/b>Paul Barry<\/span><\/a> provides a shortcut to the fundamentals and quickly gets you working with built-in data functions and structures. That\u2019s one of the reasons why it\u2019s among the <\/span>best books for learning Python<\/span> programming and probably the best Python book for you if you have very little to no background in Python. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can start building your own web app, engage in database management, and take on other tasks before you even finish reading the book. The book is also loaded with vibrant visuals and delivers a multi-sensory learning experience, unlike old-school textbooks. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which is the best book for Python beginners?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Learning Python (5th Edition)<\/b><\/a>: Mark Lutz<\/span><\/a> has more than two decades of experience teaching Python programming to beginners. He is also one of the primary reasons why Python grew into a popular coding language. Several exercises, illustrations, and quizzes in the book are designed to deliver an in-depth introduction to core Python principles. This is the best Python book to get you started if you have just a little bit of background in the Python programming language and want to learn more. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The self-paced tutorials are also fashioned to get you started on Python 2.7 and 3.3, and other popular advanced features in everyday use today. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Think<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist (2nd Edition<\/b>)<\/a>:<\/b> Allen B. Downey<\/span><\/a> takes a serious approach to Python programming with his offering. As alluded to in the title, the primary goal of this book is to get you to think about code like a professional software engineer. While it isn\u2019t as fun to read as some of the other books on this list, it\u2019s clear, comprehensive, and straightforward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This book doesn\u2019t dive as deeply into the subject as other books, but it does cover a wide range of topics, from analysis of algorithms to polymorphism. The second edition is filled with exercises and includes four in-depth projects. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Get To Know Other\tData Science Students<\/h4>
\"Samuel<\/a>

Samuel Okoye<\/p>

IT Consultant at Kforce<\/p><\/div>

<\/div>

Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>

\"Meghan<\/a>

Meghan Thomason<\/p>

Data Scientist at Spin<\/p><\/div>

Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>

\"Mikiko<\/a>

Mikiko Bazeley<\/p>

ML Engineer at MailChimp<\/p><\/div>

Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

However, you won\u2019t find as may exercises as in similar books in the marketplace. Having said that, it\u2019s important to note that it\u2019s still one of the <\/span>best python programming books<\/span> available today. When you\u2019re done reading it, you\u2019ll be ready to start thinking like a seasoned coder. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Learn<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Learn Python the Hard Way \u2013 A Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World of Computers and Code (3rd Edition)<\/b><\/a>:<\/b>  <\/span>Zed A. Shaw<\/span><\/a>\u2019s book may not have the most appealing title, but it can certainly equip you with the skills you need to be an excellent Python developer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The book is made up of 52 collated exercises that you can read and type. Once typed, you\u2019ll have to go back and fix the mistakes in the code to better understand how it works. This approach to Python programming will help you better understand the structure of well-written software while limiting technical debt. It is one of the best Python programming books to both learn and practice Python at the same time. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also learn about the common mistakes often found inside the code and the tricks and tools used by the experts to identify and fix them. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Python Books<\/span>: Intermediate <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Python<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Python Cookbook (3rd Edition)<\/b><\/a>:<\/b> David Beazley<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Brian K. Jones<\/span><\/a>\u2019 offering is one of the <\/span>best books on Python<\/span> for those who want to update older Python 2 code to Python 3. However, it\u2019s all-encompassing and covers tasks that are common to a wide variety of application domains, including concurrency, metaprogramming, utility scripting, and system administration. It\u2019s also loaded with instructive examples and code samples that can be used in your projects. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Python<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Python Tricks: A Buffet of Awesome Python Features<\/b><\/a>:<\/b> Dan Bader<\/span><\/a> loves to help Python developers take their coding skills to the next level, and that\u2019s precisely what he\u2019s trying to do with this book. In fact, we are moving up from the cookbook into the buffet to explore lesser-known Python features and concepts. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The examples and discussions are easy to digest and are complimented by 12 bonus videos (that accompany the ebook). It\u2019s also the <\/span>best python programming book<\/span> for developers who work with other programming languages and need to get up to speed with Python, quickly. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Effective<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Effective Python: 59 Specific Ways to Write Better Python (1st Edition)<\/b><\/a>:<\/b> Brett Slatkin<\/span><\/a>, the principal software engineer and engineering director at Google, wrote this book to help Python developers write better code and avoid technical debt. It can even be listed as the <\/span>best Python textbook<\/span> as it plays a critical role in developing well-rounded Python developers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Python is popular because the language is easy to learn. But when you jump right in and start coding, you risk missing out on its unique charm, strengths, and qualities that can lead to trouble down the road. So whoever gets through the whole book will be on their way to becoming a well-rounded Python programmer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to <\/span>Brandon Rhodes<\/span><\/a>, a software engineer at Dropbox and chair of PyCon 2016-2017, \u201ceach item in Slatkin\u2019s Effective Python <\/span>teaches a self-contained lesson with its own source code<\/span><\/a>. This makes the book random-access: Items are easy to browse and study in whatever order the reader needs. I will be recommending Effective Python to students as an admirably compact source of mainstream advice on a very broad range of topics for the intermediate Python programmer.\u201d <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Python Books: Advanced<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Fluent<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming<\/b><\/a>:<\/b> Luciano Ramalho<\/span><\/a>\u2019s book targets experienced Python 2 developers who want to move on to Python 3. So if you don\u2019t have a solid foundation of the basics, this isn\u2019t the <\/span>best Python learning book<\/span> to start your programming journey. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As this book is well-referenced, experienced programmers can quickly find answers to their questions by skimming through the organized topics. When you start reading, you might find a lot of topics covered by introductory Python books, but don\u2019t be fooled. Unlike introductory Python books, the author goes into detail and highlights several nuanced features of the language.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also detailed examples that complement the content on almost every page. The code examples are geared to provide a more practical approach to the Python concepts presented in the book. If you go to StackOverflow and don\u2019t find comprehensive answers to your questions, this book is the best alternative. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Python<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Python Testing with pytest: Simple, Rapid, Effective, and Scalable (1st Edition)<\/b><\/a>:<\/b> Brian Okken<\/span><\/a>, who has a <\/span>weekly podcast<\/span><\/a> on Python testing and development, aims to help Python developers write tests quickly. When you\u2019re done with this book, you should be able to write pytests that are readable and maintainable without any boilerplate code. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re going to work on Python-based projects, you have to be able to test your code. To do this properly, there\u2019s no better option than pytest. The pytest framework is loaded with powerful features and plugin capability that helps minimize false test failures. This book provides a robust model that can be applied to both simple small tests and highly complex functional tests. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you\u2019re well-versed in pytest, it\u2019s still worth reading because there are some gems that will be useful on your next project. So if you\u2019re making a list of the <\/span>best Python books<\/span>, it\u2019s imperative to include Okken\u2019s work. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Introduction<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Introduction to Machine Learning with Python: A Guide for Data Scientists<\/a>:<\/b> Andreas C. M\u00fcller<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Sarah Guido<\/span><\/a>\u2019s guide for data scientists<\/a> is the best python programming book to read if you\u2019re interested in getting into <\/span>artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re done reading this book, you\u2019ll be ready to build your own rich ML applications and solutions that can be scaled (up or down) as needed. The book starts with the fundamental concepts of ML but rapidly dives right into advanced methods for the concept of pipelines, model evaluation, and much more. It’s one of the best Python books for taking your skills in Python into exciting artificial intelligence and data science<\/a><\/span> applications. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the book, you\u2019ll also be provided with tips and tricks that can help you become a better data scientist\/ML engineer. <\/span>Read the reviews<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Reading these Python books can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of Python programming. As the programming language can be leveraged across a variety of industry verticals, adding this skill can lead to a lucrative career. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since you\u2019re here\u2026
<\/strong>Curious about a career in data science? Experiment with our free data science learning path<\/a>, or join our Data Science Bootcamp<\/a>, where you\u2019ll get your tuition back if you don’t land a job after graduating. We\u2019re confident because our courses work \u2013 check out our student success stories<\/a> to get inspired.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Python can be applied to a variety of programming tasks, like software development, website development, general server scripting, database management, debugging, and much more. So it\u2019s no surprise that Python programmers are highly sought after.  According to Peter Norvig, director of search quality at Google, “Python has been an important part of Google since the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":19127,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","_eb_data_table":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"marketing_tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-8190","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-data-science"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8190"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8190"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47716,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8190\/revisions\/47716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8190"},{"taxonomy":"marketing_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/marketing_tags?post=8190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}