Just bought Python in a Nutshell

[Lamonte Harris]

Right, I like reading books it comes handier then reading ebooks,  less
programs and its right there in your hands.  Main reason I'm going to use it
for is to find questions without asking them on the python list or tutor
list for a quicker referrence.

On 9/14/07, DouhetSukd at gmail.com <DouhetSukd at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I respectfully disagree with Shawn, in this case.
>
> Don't skim Nutshell, unless you know very little Python, and even then
> it is really the wrong book.  It is rather dry reading and provides
> very little of the usual user-friendly introductions to language
> features by solving simple problems.
>
> Doesn't sound like that much of an endorsement, does it?  Well, in
> fact, it is pretty much my most used Python book (out of 7 or 8
> others).
>
> If you read Alex's posts in this newsgroup, you'll see that he is one
> of the most pragmatic and rigorous posters who usually contributes
> code that elegantly and simply solves the issue at hand with the
> minimum amount of clutter.
>
> What Python in a Nutshell is really good at is showing you exactly
> what Python is capable of doing, feature by feature, in a thoroughly
> Pythonic way for the feature.  With code and exact implication.  For
> example, I know Python well but I am kinda lacking in metaclass
> comprehension.  If I were to write some non-trivial metaclasses I
> would surely have his 3 or 4 pages open on my desk as I write code and
> skim through other internet postings.  Those 3-4 pages have kinda made
> my brain shrivel every time I've looked at them, but they are the
> clearest overview I've seen of what is probably one of the hardest
> Python features to understand.
>
> For normal, easy-to-understand Python, Nutshell really dissects the
> languages with new insight.  The information is dense, because each
> word has its place and there very little filler.  That's why skimming
> it does not work for me, I just don't have the requisite sustained
> attention span.
>
> So, although I read almost all other computer books like Shawn does, I
> don't think it applies in this particular case.  When you have a
> particular aspect of Python in mind, use Nutshell.  Read up on 'look
> before you leap' in it if you really want a sample of how it is
> written.
>
> Cheers
>
> --
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
>
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