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Learn only the essential aspects of Python without cluttering up your mind with features you may never use. This compact book is not a "best way to write code" type of book; rather, the author goes over his most-used functions, which are all you need to know as a beginner and some way beyond.

Lean Python takes 58 Python methods and functions and whittles them down to 15: as author Paul Gerrard says, "I haven´t found a need for the rest."

What You´ll Learn

Discover lean Python and how to learn just enough to build useful tools
Use Python objects, program structure, I/O, modules and more
Handle errors and exceptions
Test your code
Access the Web; do searching; and persist data
Who This Book Is For
This book is aimed at three categories of reader: The experienced programmer - if you already know a programming language, this book gives you a shortcut to understanding the Python language and some of its design philosophy.
You work in IT and need a programming primer - you might be a tester who needs to have more informed technical discussions with programmers. Working through the examples will help you to appreciate the challenge of good programming.
First-timer - you want a first book on programming that you can assimilate quickly to help you decide whether programming is for you.

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1. Getting Started 2. Python Objects 3. Program Structure 4. Input and Output 5. Using Modules 6. Object Orientation 7. Exception and Error Handling 8. Testing Your Code 9. Web Accessibility 10. Searching 11. Databases 12. What Next? A. References B. Python Built-in Exceptions Hierarchy

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Paul Gerrard is a consultant, teacher, author, webmaster, programmer, tester, conference speaker, rowing coach and publisher.

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