Python Basics: A Practical Introduction to Python 3

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Python Basics: A Practical Introduction
to Python 3

Real Python

Python Basics: A Practical Introduction to Python 3

Revised and Updated 4th Edition

David Amos, Dan Bader, Joanna Jablonski, Fletcher Heisler

Copyright © Real Python (realpython.com), 2012–2020

For online information and ordering of this and other books by Real
Python, please visit realpython.com. For more information, please
contact us at info@realpython.com.

ISBN: 9781775093329 (paperback)

ISBN: 9781775093336 (electronic)

Cover design by Aldren Santos

Additional editing and proofreading by Jacob Schmitt

“Python” and the Python logos are trademarks or registered trade-
marks of the Python Software Foundation, used by Real Python with
permission from the Foundation.

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This is a sample from “Python Basics: A Practical
Introduction to Python 3”

With the full version of the book you get a complete Python curriculum
to go all the way from beginner to intermediate-level. Every step along
the way is explained and illustrated with short & clear code samples.

Coding exercises within each chapter and our interactive quizzes help
fast-track your progress and ensure you always know what to focus on
next.

Become a fluent Pythonista and gain programming knowledge you
can apply in the real-world, today:

If you enjoyed the sample chapters you can purchase a full
version of the book at realpython.com/pybasics-book

What Pythonistas Say About Python Basics: A Practical In-
troduction to Python 3

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publishers. And then I found Real Python.

The easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions break the big concepts
down into bite-sized chunks written in plain English. The authors
never forget their audience and are consistently thorough and detailed
in their explanations. I’m up and running now, but I constantly refer
to the material for guidance.”

— Jared Nielsen

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About the Authors

At Real Python you’ll learn real-world programming skills from a com-
munity of professional Pythonistas from all around the world.

The realpython.com website launched in 2012 and currently helps
more than three million Python developers each month with free
programming tutorials and in-depth learning resources.

Everyone who worked on this book is a practitioner with several years
of professional experience in the software industry. Here are the mem-
bers of the Real Python tutorial team who worked on Python Basics:

David Amos is the content technical lead for Real Python. After leav-
ing academia in 2015, David worked in various technical positions as
a programmer and data scientist. In 2019, David joined Real Python
full time to pursue his passion for education. He lead the charge on
rewriting and updating the Python Basics curriculum to Python 3.

Dan Bader is the owner and editor in chief of Real Python and the
main developer of the realpython.com learning platform. Dan has
been writing code for more than twenty years and holds a master’s
degree in computer science. He’s the author of Python Tricks, a best-
selling programming book for intermediate Python developers.

Joanna Jablonski is the executive editor of Real Python. She likes
natural languages just as much as she likes programming languages.
Her love for puzzles, patterns, and pesky little details led her to follow
a career in translation. It was only a matter of time before she would
fall in love with a new language: Python! She joined Real Python in
2018 and has been helping Pythonistas level up ever since.

Fletcher Heisler is the founder of Hunter2, where he teaches de-
velopers how to hack and secure modern web apps. As one of the
founding members of Real Python, Fletcher wrote the first version of
the Python curriculum this book is based on in 2012.