Youve mined for diamonds, crafted dozens of tools, and built all sorts of structuresbut what if you could program robots to do all of that for you in a fraction of the time?
Talk Python to Me pocast (Apr 2017)
Use my Udemy referral discount codes.
Felix D. (in an email to the author)
Free preview of my Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Udemy course
You dont need to know all the complexities of algorithms and syntax, you just want to write basic programs to automate mundane computer tasks. In the process, even total beginners will learn to use Python to control their computers without having to learn complex information about computer science. This is a practical programming guide for the rest of us.
Cracking Codes with Python is the new edition ofHacking Secret Ciphers with Python.
Teach Your Kids to Code- A great book for parents and teachers who want to help young adults learn to program.
Preview of my Get Good at Python Programming Udemy course (under development)
This book is totally appropriate for someone who has never programmed before. Everything is explained, right from the ground up, in a lively, interesting style which doesnt dumb things down.
You can get a free review copy of this ebook!
helps get the word out about my books:
PyDev of the Week: Al Sweigart (Nov 2016)
Automating Your Browser and Desktop Apps (PyBay 2016)
Python Pocket Reference- A concise guide to Python for those with some programming experience.
Yes, Its Time to Learn Regular Expressions (PyCon 2017)(Andpreview at BayPIGgies
Learning to program makes you a smarter and more capable human being. Computers are not only the most common tool we encounter in our day-to-day lives, but also the most powerful. Even if your plans dont include becoming a software engineer writing code for the next Mars mission, you can find value in learning to code.
Automating Your Browser and Desktop Apps (DjangoCon 2015)
The book features the source code to 11 games. The games are clones of classics such as Nibbles, Tetris, Simon, Bejeweled, Othello, Connect Four, Flood It, and others.
I am a college professor who occasionally teaches courses for liberal arts students. […] I offered a game programming course in the Python programming language using Sweigarts book. The students loved this book. It starts at the very beginning and leads them, game by fascinating game, to become highly capable programmers.
You can get a free review copy of this ebook!
Dr. Robert C. GannRead full Amazon review
Or purchase these other recommended programming books from the links below.
You can get a free review copy of this ebook!
Scratch Programming Playgroundteaches you how to program in Scratch, the graphical programming language from MIT for ages 8 to 16. It features 8 game and art projects.
Konstantinos MichalopoulosRead full Amazon review
Scratch vs Python (Nov 2016)onTrey Hunners Weekly Python Chat
Python for Kids- Similar to Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python, for kids and beginners.
I used to write a column on a greek magazine about learning Python and PyGame. […] Since I found this book, every time the topic of learning programming is mentioned – especially from a person interested on making games – I point people to it.
Python Crash Course- Excellent beginner book on par with Automate the Boring Stuff with Python.
There are several programming tutorial videos I create onmy YouTube channel:
Learn to Program with Minecraft- If your kid likes Minecraft, theyll love using Python to programmatically control their virtual blocky world.
InCoding with Minecraft, youll create a virtual robot army with Lua, a programming language used by professional game developers. Step-by-step coding projects will show you how to write programs that automatically dig mines, collect materials, craft items, and build anything that you can imagine. Along the way, youll explore key computer science concepts like data types, functions, variables, and more.
Everyone in the 21st century needs to learn to code, right? But not everyone needs to become a software engineer or computer scientist.Automate the Boring Stuff with Pythonis written for office workers, students, administrators, and anyone who uses a computer how to write small, practical programs to automate tasks on their computer.
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python
Scratch game programming project tutorials
Al Sweigart is a software developer and tech book author living in San Francisco. Python is his favorite programming language, and he is the developer ofseveral open source modulesfor it. Hiscatweighs 12 pounds.
Nicholas SarloRead full Amazon review
Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python, 4th Edition
Core Python Applications Programming- A thorough Python book for experienced developers.
It is difficult to write a clear and easy to understand book on programming for a beginner. It is even more difficult to write a clear and understandable book on cryptography for a beginner. To do both at the same time is nearly impossible, but this author has nailed it.
All of my books are free to download and share under aCreative Commons licenseand have been part ofHumble Book Bundlesbenefitting charities. If youd like to help me out, there are several options:
Cracking Codes with Pythonteaches complete beginners how to program in the Python programming language. The book features the source code to several ciphers and hacking programs for these ciphers. The programs include the Caesar cipher, transposition cipher, simple substitution cipher, multiplicative & affine ciphers, Vigenere cipher, and hacking programs for each of these ciphers. The final chapters cover the modern RSA cipher and public key cryptography.
Scratch Blocks in 60 Seconds series
greynoi.se interview at DEF CON 25 (Jul 2017)
Im Al Sweigart, and I write books to teach beginners to code. I put them online for free, because programming is too valuable and needs to be accessible to all. (Though I sell print and ebooks to pay rent.)
Invent Your Own Computer Games with Pythonteaches you how to program in the Python language. Each chapter gives you the complete source code for a new game, and then teaches the programming concepts from the examples. Games include Guess the Number, Hangman, Tic Tac Toe, and Reversi. This book also has an introduction to making games with 2D graphics using the Pygame framework.
Logging and Testing and Debugging, Oh My! (PyBay 2017)
Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python, 4th Edition
Python Cookbook, 3rd Edition- Also a great intermediate Python book for those looking for the next step.
Jared WaltersRead full Amazon review
Violent Python- A cookbook for hackers, forensic analysts, penetration testers and security engineers.
Im halfway through this book and very pleased. I have never seen a programming book so accessible to complete beginners. It really gave me the jump start I needed. I use it alongside other resources, but it continues to be the easiest to absorb.
Fluent Python- A great intermediate Python book for those looking for the next step.
Scratch Programming Playground is for young adults or parents/teachers who want to lead kids through a fun programming journey. Additionally, there are also many video tutorials on YouTube from the authors website,Invent with Scratch.
You can supplement your book reading with Udemy online video courses for Automate the Boring Stuff with Python and Scratch Programming Playground. Use these links to receive large discounts:
Learning Python- The classic, comprehensive introduction to Python.
Introductions to Python are easy to find. But at the end of the day most Python tutorials for beginners end up being the same lessons repackaged, often leaving the new programmer with gaping holes in how their newly acquire skills can be applied practically. This is not one of those books. Where this book stands out is the second part where you actually build useful tools you might need to use every day. The author does a fantastic job of bridging the concepts and skills you learned earlier to real world applications.
There is also an online Udemy course that follows the book.You can sign up for free using the coupon code INVENT_WITH_SCRATCH.
My referral links bring me more income than even paying full price without the referral. If youd like to pay $15 instead of $10, you can usediscount code JUST_SAYING_THANKSfor the Python course or pay $10 instead of $0 with thediscount code JUST_SAYING_THANKSfor my Scratch course.
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python
You can also take theonline course of this book on Udemy. Use coupon codeINVENT_WITH_PYTHONto buy the course for $10, an 80% discount!
You can get a free review copy of this ebook!(Scroll to the bottom of this link for info.)
Become an Excel Wizard Using Python Scripting (IndyPy Meetup Sept 2016)
The Quick Python Book- A great book for experienced programmers who are new to Python.
Rocket science uses programming, but programming isnt rocket science. Whether youre preparing for a software career, an office worker with a folder full of spreadsheet files, or a hobbyist interested in making indie video games, the Python programming language is a great way to get started in the world of programming.
Making Games with Python & Pygamecovers the Pygame library with the source code for 11 games. Making Games was written as a sequel for the same age range as Invent with Python. Once you have an understanding of the basics of Python programming, you can now expand your abilities using the Pygame library to make games with graphics, animation, and sound.
Black Hat Python- Python programming for hackers and pentesters.
Blank Editor series, covering practice coding problems in Python
Effective Python- Also a great intermediate Python book for those looking for the next step.
The Linux Command Line- An introduction to the command line, a useful skill for any programmer.