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.