Python Crash Course, 3rd Edition A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming

Python Crash Course is the world’s bestselling programming book, with over 1,500,000 copies sold to date!

Python Crash Course is the world’s best-selling guide to the Python programming language. This fast-paced, thorough introduction will have you writing programs, solving problems, and developing functioning applications in no time.

You’ll start by learning basic programming concepts, such as variables, lists, classes, and loops, and practice writing clean code with exercises for each topic. You’ll also learn how to make your programs interactive and test your code safely before adding it to a project. You’ll put your new knowledge into practice by creating a Space Invaders–inspired arcade game, building a set of data visualizations with Python’s handy libraries, and deploying a simple application online.

As you work through the book, you’ll learn how to:

• Use powerful Python libraries and tools, including pytest, Pygame, Matplotlib, Plotly, and Django
• Make increasingly complex 2D games that respond to keypresses and mouse clicks
• Generate interactive data visualizations using a variety of datasets
• Build apps that allow users to create accounts and manage their own data, and deploy your apps online 
• Troubleshoot coding errors and solve common programming problems

New to this edition: This third edition is completely revised to reflect the latest in Python code. New and updated coverage includes VS Code for text editing, the pathlib module for file handling, pytest for testing your code, as well as the latest features of Matplotlib, Plotly, and Django.

If you’ve been thinking about digging into programming, Python Crash Course will provide you with the skills to write real programs fast. Why wait any longer? Start your engines and code!

Covers Python 3.x

Eric Matthes was a high school science, math, and programming teacher, now full-time author, living in Alaska. He has been writing programs since he was five years old and is the author of the Python Flash Cards, also from No Starch Press.

Preface to the Third Edition
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: BASICS
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Chapter 2: Variables and Simple Data Types
Chapter 3: Introducing Lists
Chapter 4: Working with Lists
Chapter 5: if Statements
Chapter 6: Dictionaries
Chapter 7: User Input and while Loops
Chapter 8: Functions
Chapter 9: Classes
Chapter 10: Files and Exceptions
Chapter 11: Testing Your Code
Part II: PROJECTS
Chapter 12: A Ship That Fires Bullets
Chapter 13: Aliens!
Chapter 14: Scoring
Chapter 15: Generating Data
Chapter 16: Downloading Data
Chapter 17: Working with APIs
Chapter 18: Getting Started with Django
Chapter 19: User Accounts
Chapter 20: Styling and Deploying an App
Afterword
Appendix A: Installation and Troubleshooting
Appendix B: Text Editors and IDEs
Appendix C: Getting Help
Appendix D: Using Git for Version Control
Appendix E: Troubleshooting Deployments
Index