Python Crash Course, 3rd Edition A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming

Python Crash Course is the world’s bestselling programming book, with over a million copies sold to date!

Since its initial debut in 2015, this critically acclaimed quick-start guide to programming has taught millions of people all over the world to write clean code, solve problems, and build custom applications in the popular language of Python. The highly anticipated third edition of Python Crash Course has been completely revised with updated code, practices, and projects—making it the ultimate launchpad for beginners to start their engines and code in Python 3!

In addition to detailed step-by-step instructions, illustrated explanations of code snippets, and fun, hands-on exercises that lock in learning, the new edition features enhanced coverage of variables, error-handling, and object-oriented programming, as well as fresh data for each chapter’s coding projects, better app deployment, and the latest libraries and tools, such as Plotly, Django, and the Tailwind CSS framework.

As you go from software installation tutorials and language-navigation basics to mastering syntax and troubleshooting, you’ll develop a solid programming foundation for the book’s increasingly complex array of projects. Create responsive 2D games, design your own web apps, and even generate interactive visualisations—all while you pick up and practice clean, universally applicable programming skills!

Eric Matthes was a high school science, math, and programming teacher, now full-time author, living in Alaska. He has been writing programs since he was five years old and is the author of the Python Flash Cards, also from No Starch Press.

Preface to the Third Edition
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: BASICS
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Chapter 2: Variables and Simple Data Types
Chapter 3: Introducing Lists
Chapter 4: Working with Lists
Chapter 5: if Statements
Chapter 6: Dictionaries
Chapter 7: User Input and while Loops
Chapter 8: Functions
Chapter 9: Classes
Chapter 10: Files and Exceptions
Chapter 11: Testing Your Code
Part II: PROJECTS
Chapter 12: A Ship That Fires Bullets
Chapter 13: Aliens!
Chapter 14: Scoring
Chapter 15: Generating Data
Chapter 16: Downloading Data
Chapter 17: Working with APIs
Chapter 18: Getting Started with Django
Chapter 19: User Accounts
Chapter 20: Styling and Deploying an App
Afterword
Appendix A: Installation and Troubleshooting
Appendix B: Text Editors and IDEs
Appendix C: Getting Help
Appendix D: Using Git for Version Control
Appendix E: Troubleshooting Deployments
Index