Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist (free PDF)2 min read

Think Python 2nd Edition by Allen B. Downey

Besides Learn Python the Hard Way 3rd Edition, Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist is also a great introduction to Python programming for beginners. It starts with basic concepts of programming, and is carefully designed to define all terms when they are first used and to develop each new concept in a logical progression. Larger pieces, like recursion and object-oriented programming are divided into a sequence of smaller steps and introduced over the course of several chapters.

What’s new in the second edition?

• We’ve upgraded to Python 3: All examples in the book are now Python 3, and the supporting code has been updated to run in both Python 2 and 3.
• We’ve removed the roadblocks: Based on reader feedback, we know where people had problems, so we’ve fixed or removed the pain points.
• Python in the browser: For beginners, one of the challenges of getting started is installing Python. For readers who don’t want to install Python right away, we provide instructions for running Python in a browser using PythonAnywhere, a free online programming environment.
• More Python goodies: We’ve added a chapter to cover some powerful Python features that didn’t make it into the first edition, including list comprehensions and additional data structures.

Think Python 2e is a Free Book. This means that you are free to copy, distribute, and modify it, as long as you attribute the work and don’t use it for commercial purposes.

You can download or read this book here.