Python Essentials You Always Wanted to Know: Beginner’s Guide to Python Programming, Data Structures, Data Analytics with Hands-On Coding Exercises

by Shawn Peters

Beginner’s Guide to Python Programming, Data Structures, Data Analytics with Hands-On Coding Exercises. Learn Python the Easy Way with No Prior Experience!
Key Features Comprehensive coverage of Python basicsIdeal for beginners and career changersReal-world applications and case studies Practical examples and quizzes for reinforcement
Get ready to program with Python- one of the most in-demand skills of this decade! If you are interested in learning programming, but not sure where to start, Python Essentials You Always Wanted to Know is your guide to learning Python, one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly programming languages. This book is designed with absolute beginners in mind, focusing on clear explanations and practical examples rather than technical jargon. Regardless of skill level, there’s something here for everyone, from the basics of programming logic to more advanced topics like object-oriented programming and error handling. Whether you’re a student, a professional transitioning into tech, or simply curious about coding, this book will help you to think like a programmer and enhance your programming skills.The book also includes a chapter dedicated to case studies, giving you the opportunity to practice and apply the discussed concepts. Additionally, you will gain exclusive access to an online glossary of functions and methods mentioned throughout the book to help you retain and understand crucial programming terms.

After reading this book, you’ll be able Understand programming fundamentals and Python syntaxApply data structures, functions, and modular programmingImplement object-oriented principles in your projectsLeverage Python for data analysis and business insights
Part of Vibrant Publishers’ Self-Learning Management Series, the book serves as a valuable guide for developing programming skills to complement your existing expertise and advance your career.

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2024

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Python Essentials You Always Wanted to Know is, as you might guess from the title, a good resource for beginners to coding who are looking for an introduction to Python. Peters covers a lot of the basics in the language from the standard data types to using libraries and modules to different ways that Python is used in different careers. Each section has concise, approachable examples to help wrap your brain around the concept with a little quiz at the end and an overview so you can make sure you understand what was covered. And there are some case studies to try at the end to put into practice what you've learned.

Overall, I think this is a great approach for beginners. It's not intended to give you an in-depth knowledge of Python but it does give you a good taste of the basics and also has a section on programming basics. If you're already an experienced programmer familiar with other languages, this might be a little too focused on basics but for those totally new to it or intimidated by how much there is to learn, this is a great first step. And I appreciate the list of resources and next steps in the final chapter so folks can keep learning on their own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to the book in return for an honest review.

[Olga Yolgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say that this is a solid ‘dip your toe’ kind of book. It gives a top-level understanding of key principles, but one would need to dig way deeper into how everything works in order to actually start programming. Test yourself quizzes in the end of each chapter a nice touch, they allow to check the basic understanding of the key ideas. But at the same time I think practice tasks to solve and actually apply the things explained in the chapter would have been nicer.

The Introduction promised that having read the book I would understand a number of things. And it does exactly that. I do understand. Applying though would be a whole different can of worms.

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction
Shawn Peters’ "Python Essentials - You Always Wanted to Know", published by Vibrant Publishers, serves as an invaluable guide for both beginners and intermediate programmers looking to master Python. As the title suggests, this book is designed to break down essential Python concepts into digestible, practical lessons. Peters adopts a clear, structured approach to teaching one of the most popular programming languages today, making this book ideal for learners who want to build a solid foundation in Python.

Content Overview
The book covers a wide range of topics, from basic syntax and data structures to more advanced features like object-oriented programming and file handling. The book further explores Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence. Peters excels at presenting these topics in a sequential manner, allowing readers to gradually build their understanding. Each chapter is accompanied by code examples and exercises that reinforce the concepts explained, making it easier for readers to grasp Python's versatility and real-world applications. Whether you're working with strings, lists, or complex algorithms, the book offers step-by-step guidance that ensures thorough comprehension.

Writing Style
What makes "Python Essentials" stand out is Peters’ ability to simplify complex topics without overwhelming the reader. His writing is straightforward and engaging, making technical jargon accessible to those with little programming experience. The examples are well-illustrated and supported by explanations that feel conversational yet informative. Peters manages to maintain a perfect balance between theory and practice, making the book both a reference manual and a practical guide.

Practical Application
One of the strongest aspects of this book is its focus on practical application. Peters doesn't just explain Python concepts; he demonstrates how to use them in real-world scenarios. The exercises included at the end of each chapter encourage readers to apply their knowledge, whether they are automating tasks or working on data analysis projects. This approach helps readers gain confidence in coding, making the transition from theory to actual programming projects seamless.

Final Thoughts
Overall, "Python Essentials - You Always Wanted to Know" is a comprehensive and approachable resource for anyone eager to learn Python. Shawn Peters’ methodical, user-friendly writing style ensures that readers of all skill levels will find value in this book. Whether you're just starting or looking to refresh your skills, this book is a must-have for any aspiring Python programmer.

[Frank Hubeny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is carefully written with many code examples. It should help the beginner get experience using Python. It also provided hints of what to explore for more information.

The reason I did not provide 5 stars is because the author emphasized skills that seem to me irrelevant today, such as, flowcharting and writing pseudocode. The author also recommended an online IDE rather than downloading a free IDE. The beginner is going to need another beginner's book to get a good foundation.

The following are missing from the book: 1) How to set up python on one's personal computer. 2) How to set up a virtual environment to start working on a python project. 3) How to set up GitHub for a project. 4) How to use an IDE such as Visual Studio Code. 5) How to use ruff to format and check one's code. 5) How to use mypy to type check one's code. 7) How to use pytest to test one's code. 8) How to use an automated documentation builder to construct documentation,

All of these things the beginner will eventually learn, but knowing them upfront would have provided a strong foundation upon which to build.

[T Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect format for an educational book, with each chapter starting with what we are going to learn, and ending with a quiz and a review. The explanations are also very clear, and I really like the "analog" examples. Using Python as base a for coding and computing is also clever, and the last chapters should be useful for anyone thinking about a career in computing.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource, especially for beginners, but also for people wanting to review. The text is easy to read, there are lots of examples, and there is even helpful information about different ways you can make us of Python skills.

[Tara Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teach yourself to code.

This is such a great interactive resource for the beginning programmer/coder. Even if your interest is piqued, like mine, it’s a great place to start.