This book was just okay. It didn't really stand out in any particular way, and I found myself a bit underwhelmed by the overall experience. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but it's not the worst thing I've ever read.
This is a fantastic Python resource, though it's definitely geared towards those with some prior programming experience rather than complete novices. While the Flask section felt a bit weaker, the rest of the content is incredibly valuable and well worth your time.
This book is fantastic! It breaks down Python concepts so clearly, making them incredibly easy to grasp. Paul Barry really outdid himself with this one; it's a masterclass in accessible technical writing.
This book felt a little off-topic with its inclusion of the flask section; it really strayed from the core principles of proper Python programming.
This book was an absolute page-turner! I couldn't put it down from start to finish, and the plot kept me guessing until the very end. The characters were so well-developed, and I found myself genuinely invested in their journeys. It's a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and engaging story.
While I found Head First Java to be a superior learning experience, this book did help me grasp the fundamentals of Python from scratch with relative ease. It's worth noting that a significant portion of the latter half is reportedly quite dated now. I'd suggest using this as a supplementary resource alongside more current material.
While the Head First series generally shines for language acquisition, this particular book's 'visual & activity learning strategies,' like fridge magnet games, can unfortunately become tedious and hinder progress rather than accelerate it. Despite this drawback, the text provides a solid foundation in core concepts, covering everything from data structures and context management to list comprehensions and generators. The inclusion of an appendix on deploying to the cloud with pythonanywhere was a particularly delightful bonus. Overall, it's a worthwhile read.
I found this book to be both efficient and genuinely enjoyable. The examples provided were crystal clear, and while the exercises offered a good challenge, they never felt overwhelming.
This book is a fantastic introduction to Python, especially if you've dabbled in programming before. You'll definitely come away with a solid grasp of the language. True to the Head First style, it's engaging and easy to follow, making the learning process fly by.
This book is absolutely fantastic and I can't recommend it enough! It's a solid read, though I do wish it had delved a bit deeper into object-oriented programming concepts.
This book served as a handy refresher before I dove back into Python work. While I'm not a developer and often just grab ready-to-import packages, the explanations for the underlying logic behind common tools were fascinating. The author's detailed exercises on context managers and decorators, for instance, were particularly well-done and appreciated. The topic selection felt a bit abrupt, ending quite suddenly after list comprehension, but it's a solid choice for those with some experience seeking a deeper understanding of computer science principles.
This book really dragged in places, spending too much time on trivial details while glossing over the more intricate concepts. The repetitive code examples, while perhaps helpful for some, felt incredibly dull and unstimulating to me. A few broken links also detracted from the experience. Despite these issues, there were some genuinely unique insights that prevented a one-star rating, making it a mixed bag overall.
This Python book really pulled me in from the start, and I appreciated how quickly it got me coding. It was great to revisit SQL and even pick up some Mac Terminal commands, finding Homebrew and MariaDB much more straightforward than MySQL. While the Kindle's search function was a bit of a letdown because code snippets were images, I managed to work through the challenges. Even though mastering Python in ten days is a stretch for a beginner, I definitely learned a ton and feel significantly more confident than when I started.
Compared to other books in the Head First series, this Python volume felt quite tedious. While it does cover some crucial points often overlooked in other programming texts, the narrative and the central problem explored throughout most of the book (excluding the final chapter) were simply not engaging. The book assumes a reader with some prior programming knowledge, particularly in C-style languages, and its self-study approach, while thorough, becomes overly repetitive and exhausting. It could have been much more captivating with less emphasis on repetition and more focus on diverse topics or problem-solving.
This book's presentation is an absolute disaster, making it completely unsuitable for anyone aspiring to be a professional programmer. The authors seem to believe their graphic design skills are top-notch, but the result is a chaotic and uncoordinated mess. Unlike other visually-focused guides that succeed, this one fails spectacularly. Save yourself the trouble and don't waste your time or money on this.
This book is a solid starting point for beginners, especially those new to programming. While it might not reach the depth of resources like 'Design Patterns,' it's still a commendable choice for newcomers. Python itself is also an excellent language for this learning journey.
While the inclusion of real-world examples was a nice touch, I found the connection to the main points to be a bit too indirect for my liking. It felt like the author could have been more explicit in demonstrating how these examples supported the broader arguments being made.
This book was a complete miss for me; it caused more confusion than actual learning. I definitely wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for clear instruction.
This book is alright, definitely not a standout, but it's not the worst thing I've ever read either. It falls somewhere in the middle, a perfectly acceptable read if you're looking for something to pass the time.
This book didn't really offer much in the way of practical advice or insights. I found it to be largely unhelpful for my needs.
This book is a fantastic starting point for aspiring Python developers, and I genuinely enjoyed working through it. It strikes a great balance, introducing core concepts while also emphasizing good programming practices, which is a refreshing change from many beginner texts. While the 'Head First' style, with its visual aids and repetitive approach, might not be for everyone, I found it incredibly effective for deep understanding and retention. It's definitely not a comprehensive reference, but for hands-on learning, it's excellent, though experienced programmers might find some sections a bit basic.
This was hands down the worst book in the series I've read. It tried to cover everything from basic concepts to web apps, mobile apps, and databases, but ended up touching none of them properly by cramming in fourteen topics. The author just jumped from one thing to another without any real depth. I seriously doubt anyone with zero programming knowledge could grasp recursion from a few pages explaining 'this is recursion.' It was a frustrating read, and I found no enjoyment in it; simpler topics are better handled elsewhere. Even Harry Potter knows Python, after all! :D
This book offers a solid introduction to Python, particularly for those new to the language. I appreciated the author's approach of tackling real-world problems and coding alongside the reader, which felt like a natural learning progression. While the book covers a broad range of topics, from data storage with Pickle to SQLite, Google App Engine, function definition, Android apps, and CGI scripts, it successfully grounded me in the Python ecosystem. I definitely have a much better grasp of the Python landscape now, though there's clearly much more to explore.
While I appreciate the Head First series' signature approach to active learning, this particular installment struggled to bridge the gap between its examples and practical application, a pitfall I haven't encountered in their other titles. The frequent Monty Python allusions, initially amusing, unfortunately wore thin by the introduction's conclusion. Despite these drawbacks, the core teaching methodology remains strong, effectively reinforcing concepts through repetition and hands-on exercises.
As a complete newcomer to programming, I found this book to be an excellent starting point for Python. While the introduction hinted at prior knowledge, it was surprisingly accessible and didn't leave me feeling lost. The 'Head First' style, which was new to me, turned out to be engaging and effective, making the learning process enjoyable. Although I hit a snag with the MySQL chapter due to version differences, the foundational concepts were solid, and I'd recommend it to anyone just beginning their coding journey.
This book is far from an ideal starting point for learning Python. The first hundred pages are heavily focused on lists, which, while important, felt repetitive and frankly, quite boring. The exercises also seemed mismatched, assuming prior programming knowledge yet offering challenges suitable for absolute beginners. If your goal is to dive into Data Science with Python, I'd strongly advise looking elsewhere.
This book's style just wasn't for me, unfortunately. While I appreciate the effort to make learning Python engaging with humor and activities, it felt a bit over the top and distracting for my personal learning preferences. Thankfully, a colleague noticed and provided an alternative resource that proved much more effective for my needs.
This book was a real letdown, especially compared to other Headfirst titles. The examples felt completely out of place and didn't help with understanding the material at all. Honestly, it was quite a dull read.
This book has some great ideas, but be warned: the SQL commands are outdated and won't work with current MySQL versions. You'll likely need to install an older version to follow the examples, which is a significant hurdle since each chapter depends on the last. I spent a considerable amount of time just getting the database set up, so definitely prepare for some troubleshooting.
This book's overly cutesy style really rubbed me the wrong way. I'm tossing it straight into the donation pile, as there are definitely better options out there that don't rely on unnecessary graphics and patronizing language.
