Finally, an intro programming book that is entertaining. The example projects are useful. Actually useful. And, quick to program.
I have been programming for many years. I have been working with databases for the past 8 years, so my other programming skills have not kept pace mostly because I have no specific day to day use for Python or any other non-database language in my job. But, for some unknown reason, I wanted to learn Python. So, I tried a number of the usual "Learn Python in 36 Seconds" intro methods -- books and on-line tutorials. Boring. So, I would put in a one or two hours and never return.
When I got "Automate the Boring Stuff", I skimmed over the intro: basic Python syntax chapters. Then, I hit the projects. I quickly realized my error when I could not remember basic syntax: like put that dreaded colon at the end of an IF or FOR statement. Every language wants to do that differently for some reason. So, I re-started the intro chapters. But, I quickly got back to the projects. First project was a copy to the clipboard task. Cool technology. Not exceptionally useful, but entertaining. And, it sure beat the heck out of the usual intro chapters of beginner books. By the time I hit the Excel chapter, I was hooked. And, automating data into and out Excel had a very high appeal to me. I have now completed 2 Excel projects of my own complete with modules to support the code. Each of my projects will save hours of tedious work every month. Also, I learned the limits of the Python Excel module: openpyxl. That was frustrating -- but a very good indicator that I had actually learned it. And, that pesky colon syntax now naturally comes at the end of IF and FOR statements -- another good indicator that I had learned something.
I have to recommend this book to anyone who gets bored trying to learn a new language. Based on how the material is presented, this book should also serve well for first time programmers. And, automating a few tedious tasks does not hurt.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
There is a newer edition of this item:
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 3rd Edition
$42.74
This title will be released on May 20, 2025.
$42.74
This title will be released on May 20, 2025.
Frequently bought together
This item: Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners
$30.66
Get it as soon as Thursday, Sep 12
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
$26.79
Get it as soon as Thursday, Sep 12
In Stock
+
$7.95
Get it as soon as Thursday, Sep 12
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the Publisher
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
'A Lot of Fun'“I’m having a lot of fun breaking things and then putting them back together, and just remembering the joy of turning a set of instructions into something useful and fun, like I did when I was a kid.” —Wil Wheaton, Actor, Writer, and Geek Icon |
'Highly Recommended'“Do you need Automate the Boring Stuff with Python? Yes, if you want to enhance your workflow by using automation, this is an excellent place to start. Highly recommended.” —Network World |
'A Stellar Resource'"A stellar resource for office workers, academics, and administrators." —Mashable |
About the Author
Al Sweigart is a software developer and tech book author. Python is his favorite programming language, and he is the developer of several open source modules for it. His other books are freely available under a Creative Commons license on his website. His cat now weighs 11 pounds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Python for Kids, 2nd edition by Jason Briggs | Python Crash Course 3rd edition by Eric Matthes | Automate the Boring Stuff 2nd edition by Al Sweigart | Python Flash Cards by Eric Matthes | Impractical Python Projects by Lee Vaughan | Serious Python by Julien Danjou | |
| Customer Reviews |
60
|
1,206
|
3,216
|
463
|
351
|
371
|
| Price | $21.49 | $26.79 | $22.04 | $21.51 | $25.02 | $24.00 |
| User experience level | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner to Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| For readers who want | A gentle, kid-friendly introduction to Python | A fast-paced, thorough introduction to Python | A practical guide to using Python for automating tedious tasks | A quick and easy way to review Python fundamentals, vocabulary, syntax and more | Fun, entertaining projects to take your Python skills to the next level | Expert, practical advice and tutorials to perfect your professional Python skills |
| Compatible with Python version | Python 3 | Python 3 | Python 3 | Python 3 | Python 3 | Python 2 & 3 |
| Special features | Kid-friendly, full-color code and illustrations | Covers Django, matplotlib and plotly, and pygame | Covers working with files en masse, automating emails and texts, scraping the web, and more | Flash card format; includes exercises and challenges to test and hone your skills | Covers modules like pygame, Pylint, pydocstyle, tkinter, python-docx, matplotlib, and pillow | Covers powerful techniques like using generators, handling time zones, and applying functional programming |
| Page count | 368 pages | 511 pages | 592 pages | 101 cards | 424 pages | 240 pages |
About the Publisher
No Starch Press has published the finest in geek entertainment since 1994, creating both timely and timeless titles like Python Crash Course, Python for Kids, How Linux Works, and Hacking: The Art of Exploitation. An independent, San Francisco-based publishing company, No Starch Press focuses on a curated list of well-crafted books that make a difference. They publish on many topics, including computer programming, cybersecurity, operating systems, and LEGO. The titles have personality, the authors are passionate experts, and all the content goes through extensive editorial and technical reviews. Long known for its fun, fearless approach to technology, No Starch Press has earned wide support from STEM enthusiasts worldwide.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
I like this book, but the physical construction is a bit questionable.
This book is a good book for reference. It has helped me in my early times learning so far on the website, so I decided to buy the book. It's equally great in paper forms, with the exception of the materials used, it's not well binded and the paper feels a bit cheap. For the price it's not bad at all, but I feel like if they upped the price a few bucks and improved materials used, I would have been happier. If learning python though, it's a solid book to start with and oftentimes paper can be very helpful.
Top reviews from other countries
Cliente de Amazon
Divertida forma de repasar los temas ya conocidos y aprender nuevos
Reviewed in Mexico on September 3, 2019
Cliente de Amazon
Reviewed in Mexico on September 3, 2019
Images in this review
b00kll0vr
Best Python Book If You Really Want To Learn
Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2017