Learn Python the Hard Way

Zed Shaw has created the world’s most reliable system for learning Python. Follow it and you will succeed–just like the millions of beginners Zed has taught to date! You bring the discipline, persistence, and attention; the author supplies the masterful knowledge you need to succeed.

In Learn Python the Hard Way, Fifth Edition, you’ll learn Python by working through 60 lovingly crafted exercises. Read them. Type in the code. Run it. Fix your mistakes. Repeat. As you do, you’ll learn how a computer works, how to solve problems, and how to enjoy programming . . . even when it’s driving you crazy.

• Install a complete Python environment
• Organize and write code
• Fix and break code
• Basic mathematics
• Strings and text
• Interact with users
• Work with files
• Looping and logic
• Object-oriented programming
• Data structures using lists and dictionaries
• Modules, classes, and objects
• Python packaging
• Automated testing
• Basic SQL for Data Science
• Web scraping
• Fixing bad data (munging)
• The “Data” part of “Data Science”

It’ll be frustrating at first. But if you keep trying, you’ll get it–and it’ll feel amazing! This course will reward you for every minute you put into it. Soon, you’ll know one of the world’s most powerful, popular programming languages. You’ll be a Python programmer.

This Book Is Perfect For

• Total beginners with zero programming experience
• Junior developers who know one or two languages
• Returning professionals who haven’t written code in years
• Aspiring Data Scientists or academics who need to learn to code
• Seasoned professionals looking for a fast, simple crash course in Python for Data Science

Table of Contents

MODULE 1 Getting Started in Python

MODULE 2 The Basics of Programming

MODULE 3 Applying What You Know

MODULE 4 Python and Data Science

About the Author

Zed A. Shaw is the author of the popular books, Learn Python the Hard Way, Learn Ruby the Hard Way, and Learn C the Hard Way. He is also the creator of several open source software projects and has been programming and writing for nearly 30 years. Most of his free time is devoted to the study of painting and art history.