Python 101

Your Gateway to Python Programming 🐍

Python 101 by Michael Driscoll is a hands-on introduction to one of the world’s most popular programming languages. Whether you’re writing your first line of code or looking to fill gaps in your Python knowledge, this book offers a clear, practical path from the fundamentals to more advanced techniques.

From Basics to Real-World Code 💻

The book begins with the essential building blocks: IDLE, strings, lists, tuples, dictionaries, conditionals, loops, and comprehensions. Each concept is explained with straightforward examples, so you can start writing useful Python code quickly.

Explore the Standard Library ⚙️

Python’s standard library is vast, and Python 101 guides you through many of its most valuable modules. You’ll learn to work with CSV files, configuration files, logging, the operating system, email, SQLite, subprocesses, threading, dates and times, XML, and more. These chapters help you use Python for everyday automation and data tasks.

Debug, Test, and Package Like a Pro

Beyond the basics, the book covers debugging with pdb, profiling with cProfile, testing with doctest and unittest, and code analysis with pylint and pyflakes. You’ll also learn how to install third-party packages, work with requests and SQLAlchemy, and package your own code for distribution via PyPI, eggs, wheels, and tools like PyInstaller.

Who Is This Book For?

Python 101 is ideal for beginners who want a solid foundation, as well as intermediate programmers who need a reliable reference for the standard library and common development tasks. The material assumes no prior Python experience, but experienced developers will still find plenty of useful insights.

About This Edition

This Leanpub edition was updated on March 29, 2019. It reflects modern Python practices and includes the author’s latest revisions. The book is divided into five parts, taking you from learning the basics to packaging and distributing your own Python projects.

Why Python 101?

Michael Driscoll’s clear writing and practical examples make complex topics accessible. Instead of endless theory, you get working code and explanations that stick. If you want to learn Python by doing, this book is a great companion.

Start your Python journey today with a guide that grows with you—from your first script to your first package.