PPSI's "Quick Ref." and Lutz' "Pocket Ref."

[Tony J Ibbs (Tibs)]

"Dinu C. Gherman" <gherman at my-deja.com> wrote:
> Having never seen PPSI's "Python Quick Reference" as advertised
> on pythonpros.com on paper I wonder how it compares to Mark Lutz'
> "Python Pocket Reference"?

*Drumroll* - they're different. There, that was a surprise.

But seriously, I do think they address different sorts of minds/niches,
really. 

The PPSI quick ref is a "traditional" reference card. It is suitable 
for standing up on end on one's desk, or for losing amidst the 
paperwork on same when it falls over. It doesn't fit in my pocket
(or at least not without risk of crumpling, which I don't want to do).
It was evidently written with care, and it is a reference I find very 
useful as it is formatted in a way I find easy to look at and scan.
Compare it to the "traditional" Emacs ref card.

Lutz's pocket reference is a little book, which DOES fit in my pocket, 
and because it is a book it is rather more robust. It is, of course, 
also harder to lay down (open) on the desk without destroying it. I 
find the typesetting to be a bit "loose" for my taste, with a 
corresponding spread of information over pages. It contains extra 
information about non-directly-Python things (e.g., [X]Emacs Python 
mode, etc.), and a lot more text attempting to give short explanations 
(which PPSI QR does not). There are some inaccuracies, but that is 
inevitable. Probably true of the QR as well.

Personally, I think I would prefer the "tutorial" section out of the 
back of Programming Python if I had to have one pocket reference from 
him, but I suspect that would be harder to do "politically".

I am happy to have both - I will carry the Lutz in my pocket if I want 
a portable ref, and keep the QR in one place so it doesn't get bent 
(damn, I should have bought 2 for myself). If I had to have one I'd go
for the QR, but that may just be me.

As to futures - I hope the PPSI will bring out another edition some 
day, but I doubt it is necessary yet.

Tibs
-- 
Tony J Ibbs (Tibs)      http://www.tibsnjoan.demon.co.uk/
My views! Mine! Mine! (Unless Laser-Scan ask nicely to borrow them.)