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Python

Python is a high-level, general-purpose, dynamically typed programming language with readable syntax and automatic memory management.

How 26 Manning books explain it

The Quick Python Book, Fourth Edition

Python is a high-level general-purpose programming language with an interpreted execution model and dynamic features.

How it is used
Uses Python to write portable programs quickly, from file-processing scripts to web and data applications.
How deep it goes
Develops syntax, types, program structure, libraries, and error handling through examples; gives only a brief account of interpreter internals.
Examples
Demonstrates an indented factorial loop, a file-based word counter, and type mismatches reported by mypy.
What you can do after
Build it from scratch: write and run small Python programs using built-in types, control flow, files, and modules.

Read how The Quick Python Book, Fourth Edition explains Python →

Fast Python: High performance techniques for large datasets

How it is used
Uses Python as the working language for data-processing tasks whose speed and storage demands require measured optimization.
How deep it goes
Works through profiling, object costs, execution constraints, and performance comparisons rather than introductory language syntax.
Examples
Tests weather-station distance calculations, object sizes, and native Python versus Cython runtimes.
What you can do after
Diagnose/debug with profiling, then select and measure a Python optimization suited to the bottleneck and available hardware.

Read how Fast Python: High performance techniques for large datasets explains Python →

Road to Kubernetes

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language known for readable syntax and broad application support.

How it is used
Uses Python as a recurring web-application deployment case alongside JavaScript/Node.js.
How deep it goes
Works through application dependencies, Ubuntu setup, and runtime selection rather than comprehensive Python programming.
Examples
Uses a FastAPI application, Ubuntu setup commands, and a version-tagged Python container image.
What you can do after
Operate/configure a Python web app on Ubuntu with a virtual environment, or select and run a version-tagged Docker image.

Read how Road to Kubernetes explains Python →

A Pythonic Adventure: From Python basics to a working web app

Python 3 is the third major version of the Python programming language.

How it is used
Introduces programming through a practical coffee-shop application and immediate interaction with a computer.
How deep it goes
Builds a first runnable program with print(), input(), variables, file naming, and editor execution, without advancing beyond basic interaction.
Examples
Uses a coffee-shop greeting, customer prompts, and a receipt listing a name, drink, flavor, and topping.
What you can do after
Build a small Python application that collects order details and prints a personalized receipt.

Read how A Pythonic Adventure: From Python basics to a working web app explains Python →

Get Programming: Learn to code with Python

A general-purpose, interpreted programming language with dynamic typing and significant standard-library support.

How it is used
Uses Python to teach programming basics before moving to interactive programs and structured-data tasks.
How deep it goes
Defines the interpreter and introduces objects and variables, then reaches aliasing and copying mutable objects.
Examples
Uses everyday object-naming analogies and dictionary exercises to make variable assignment and mutation concrete.
What you can do after
Build it from scratch by writing Python programs with variables, decisions, repetition, and reusable operations.

Read how Get Programming: Learn to code with Python explains Python →

Statistics Every Programmer Needs

Python is a general-purpose programming language known for readable syntax and broad use in software development, data analysis, and scientific computing.

How it is used
Deploys Python as the analytical engine for preparing data, fitting models, simulating uncertainty, visualizing results, and supporting decisions.
How deep it goes
Demonstrates implementation through annotated examples and library workflows, but stops short of teaching Python syntax, installation, or general-purpose programming.
Examples
Uses pandas, NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, seaborn, scikit-learn, and statsmodels across regression, simulation, Markov chains, and data analysis.
What you can do after
Apply via Python libraries to implement quantitative methods, inspect results, and adapt reusable analytical code to real-world problems.

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Practices of the Python Pro

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language known for readable syntax and a broad software ecosystem.

How it is used
Uses Python as a vehicle for learning software design, from utility scripts to complex software projects.
How deep it goes
Explains readable syntax, enterprise reach, REPL practice, design trade-offs, and dynamic typing, while deferring detailed language features.
Examples
Demonstrates Python through a REPL dictionary transformation, sorted state capitals, functions, modules, and refactored constants.
What you can do after
Evaluate/understand Python as a language for prototyping, interactive experiments, maintainable systems, and enterprise software.

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Coding with AI

Python is a general-purpose, dynamically typed programming language commonly used for application development, automation, and data science.

How it is used
Uses Python to build small applications while introducing AI-assisted code completion and chat.
How deep it goes
Works through environments, file reading, text cleaning, generated alternatives, and revisions without presenting a broad language theory.
Examples
Demonstrates Python through a text-file word-counting application and project environments created from terminal commands.
What you can do after
Build it from scratch as a small Python application with AI-generated code and project-isolated dependencies.

Read how Coding with AI explains Python →

Build a Robo-Advisor with Python (From Scratch)

A general-purpose, high-level programming language with dynamic typing and extensive support for scripting, data analysis, and application development.

How it is used
Automates robo-advising tasks such as asset allocation, tax-loss optimization, and Monte Carlo financial planning.
How deep it goes
Introduces Python’s flexible style and major libraries, then applies them to financial modeling rather than language internals.
Examples
Uses Social Security claiming break-even analysis and portfolio optimization, including tax-aware rebalancing and withdrawal strategies.
What you can do after
Build it from scratch: implement automated wealth-management analyses using Python libraries and stated financial assumptions.

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Build Financial Software with Generative AI (From Scratch)

Python is a general-purpose, dynamically typed programming language with a concise syntax and an extensive standard library.

How it is used
Positions Python as the primary language for modernizing an ACH processing application.
How deep it goes
Works through input, numeric conversion, formatting, functions, type hints, and return values, while deferring deeper backend and language topics.
Examples
Uses an interactive current-balance formatter, progressively revised into a documented, typed function that returns a string.
What you can do after
Practice/perform a small interactive balance-formatting program using input, float conversion, f-strings, functions, and type hints.

Read how Build Financial Software with Generative AI (From Scratch) explains Python →

Python How-To

Python is a high-level programming language with dynamic semantics and extensive support for readable application code.

How it is used
Uses Python to solve practical programming tasks before applying domain-specific frameworks and libraries.
How deep it goes
Explains practical language choices, membership syntax, dynamic typing, and optional hints while prioritizing core skills over domain-specific tools.
Examples
Demonstrates `in` with strings and lists, and shows an integer variable becoming a string after reassignment.
What you can do after
Practice/perform it by writing readable Python solutions and selecting other languages when mobile or low-level requirements warrant them.

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The Well-Grounded Python Developer: How the pros use Python and Flask

Python 3 is the third major version line of the Python programming language.

How it is used
Build maintainable applications by combining Python with modules, conventions, community knowledge, and third-party packages.
How deep it goes
Explains Python's development role, paradigms, version choice, and maintainability concerns without teaching syntax or implementation internals.
Examples
Uses reusable modules, class-based applications, first-class functions, event-driven programs, and Python 3.10.3 as concrete reference points.
What you can do after
Evaluate/understand Python's role, select Python 3 for new projects, and recognize when another language may better fit a domain.

Read how The Well-Grounded Python Developer: How the pros use Python and Flask explains Python →

Learn AI-Assisted Python Programming, Second Edition

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language designed for readable syntax and broad application development.

How it is used
Uses Python as the readable programming language for AI-assisted creation of practical software.
How deep it goes
Introduces syntax, execution, errors, and interactive experimentation, while deferring detailed code reading and low-level implementation.
Examples
Demonstrates number ranges, addition, square areas, syntax errors, and calculations in the Python REPL.
What you can do after
Apply it via Visual Studio Code and the Python REPL to run small programs, inspect results, and check AI-generated code.

Read how Learn AI-Assisted Python Programming, Second Edition explains Python →

Grokking Statistics

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language with dynamic typing and extensive support for scientific and data-oriented computing.

How it is used
Supports statistical analysis, data handling, visualization, and machine-learning workflows.
How deep it goes
Introduces practical calculations, libraries, and projects while stopping short of detailed language internals.
Examples
Uses employee polling, retail spending, educational testing, and house-price prediction as applied data examples.
What you can do after
Apply it via NumPy, pandas, and Matplotlib to perform practical statistical and data-analysis tasks.

Read how Grokking Statistics explains Python →

Python Workout: 50 ten-minute exercises

Python 3 is the major version of the Python programming language in which input returns text entered by the user.

How it is used
Uses Python for input-driven programs, numeric processing, accumulation, reporting, and broader problem solving.
How deep it goes
Demonstrates conversions, loops, accumulation, comparisons, and formatting through exercises, while stopping short of language internals.
Examples
Uses a run-timing average, a number-guessing interaction, and contrasting assignment forms inside input loops.
What you can do after
Apply Python to break problems down, choose constructs, compare trade-offs, and write readable, Pythonic solutions.

Read how Python Workout: 50 ten-minute exercises explains Python →

Build Python Web Apps with Streamlit

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language widely used for software development and artificial intelligence.

How it is used
Builds Streamlit interfaces and data-oriented applications without requiring separate HTML, CSS, and JavaScript development.
How deep it goes
Demonstrates files, imports, variables, conversion, context managers, widgets, and reruns through an incremental interface, not language internals.
Examples
Uses a Streamlit unit converter with radio buttons, text input, dropdowns, columns, a sidebar, and a conversion button.
What you can do after
Build a small browser-based interface, run it with Streamlit, and connect user controls to Python variables.

Read how Build Python Web Apps with Streamlit explains Python →

Investing for Programmers

Python is a general-purpose programming language with a large ecosystem for data analysis and scientific computing.

How it is used
Integrates LLM prompting into financial research workflows, notebooks, and AI-agent development.
How deep it goes
Demonstrates provider calls, prompt parameters, model selection, and local execution without detailing Python language fundamentals.
Examples
Uses OpenAI, Gemini, Anthropic, Mistral, and Hugging Face prompt-submission examples.
What you can do after
Build Python scripts that submit prompts, configure generation, process responses, or invoke locally downloaded models.

Read how Investing for Programmers explains Python →

Python Workout, Second Edition

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language known for readable syntax and broad application support.

How it is used
Supports readable problem solving, automation, data work, web development, testing, operations, research, and security.
How deep it goes
Develops fluency through exercises in core structures and program organization, while leaving continuing libraries, techniques, and language nuances for further practice.
Examples
Uses exercises with core data structures, recurring-task automation, solution comparison, and open-source contribution as practice contexts.
What you can do after
Apply Python to break down unfamiliar problems, select suitable constructs, write readable code, and automate recurring tasks.

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Data Without Labels

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language widely used for software development, data analysis, and machine learning.

How it is used
Uses Python to build reproducible data-analysis and unsupervised machine-learning workflows around concrete business problems.
How deep it goes
Walks through data preparation, text processing, sentiment scoring, visualization, and interpretation, without developing Python language internals.
Examples
Demonstrates Python through telecom and product-review analysis using pandas, NLTK, TextBlob, matplotlib, and scikit-learn.
What you can do after
Build reproducible Python workflows that load, clean, analyze, visualize, and score review data for machine-learning use cases.

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Refactoring to Rust

Python is a high-level general-purpose programming language commonly implemented with automatic memory management and garbage collection.

How it is used
Uses Python for rapid prototyping, research, machine learning, data mining, and production applications.
How deep it goes
Explains syntax, interpretation, typing, allocation, native integration, and one measured performance comparison, but defers full runtime internals.
Examples
Uses CSV column aggregation, Python extension modules, and computationally expensive asynchronous applications as concrete examples.
What you can do after
Evaluate Python bottlenecks with benchmarking and profiling, then apply Rust integration or extensions to performance-critical paths.

Read how Refactoring to Rust explains Python →

Build Applications with Local AI Models on a Mac

A high-level general-purpose programming language known for readable syntax and a broad software ecosystem.

How it is used
Uses Python to move from terminal-based model chats to a local AI application with a web interface.
How deep it goes
Walks through environment setup and a first script, then introduces coding concepts gradually rather than requiring Python mastery upfront.
Examples
Uses a first Python script and a Streamlit chatbot with streaming responses and conversation history.
What you can do after
Build it from scratch as Python scripts and a Streamlit chatbot that interacts with local AI models.

Read how Build Applications with Local AI Models on a Mac explains Python →

DuckDB in Action

Python is a high-level general-purpose programming language with a dynamic runtime and extensive support for data processing.

How it is used
Integrates DuckDB into Python workflows for file ingestion, relational querying, data interchange, and pipeline transformations.
How deep it goes
Explains Python ingestion and queryable relations with runnable operations, while deferring SQLAlchemy and broader persistence patterns.
Examples
Uses a remote Populations CSV, httpfs, DuckDBPyRelation inspection, SQL execution, counting, and relation-to-table conversion.
What you can do after
Apply it via DuckDB's Python API to ingest files, query Python-accessible data, transform results, and feed data pipelines.

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The Complete Obsolete Guide to Generative AI

Python is a general-purpose programming language commonly used for scripting, automation, and software development.

How it is used
Turns Playground prompt experiments into portable API code that can be copied, run, and adapted.
How deep it goes
Demonstrates generated API code and targeted learning prompts, while deferring Python syntax and API argument details.
Examples
Uses generated Completion API code, list iteration questions, and MoviePy-based 4K-to-1080p video conversion.
What you can do after
Apply it via the OpenAI API by copying configured Playground code and adapting it for a task.

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Everyday Data Visualization

Python is a general-purpose programming language known for readable syntax and a broad ecosystem of libraries.

How it is used
Positions Python as an approachable language for data visualization practitioners who prefer it over JavaScript or R.
How deep it goes
Demonstrates library selection and a short chart example, but stops short of teaching Python syntax or detailed implementation.
Examples
Uses fruit data and an approximately 18-line Matplotlib bar-chart example.
What you can do after
Apply it via Matplotlib to create a simple bar chart from supplied data.

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Build Your Own Robot: Using Python, CRICKIT, and Raspberry Pi

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language commonly used for automation, data processing, and application development.

How it is used
Powers incremental robot projects by connecting Linux software libraries with sensors, motors, cameras, and user interfaces.
How deep it goes
Descends from stack placement and environment setup to hardware interfaces, reusable motor functions, and a Python shell.
Examples
Uses LEDs, touch sensors, motor movement, robot shells, computer vision, QR-code detection, and network control as practical applications.
What you can do after
Build it from scratch by configuring Python, installing libraries, and writing applications that operate robot hardware and interfaces.

Read how Build Your Own Robot: Using Python, CRICKIT, and Raspberry Pi explains Python →

Data Storytelling with Altair and AI

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language widely used for data analysis and scientific computing.

How it is used
Uses Python for data analysis, visualization, storytelling, and reporting across the data science project life cycle.
How deep it goes
Explains Python through visualization workflows and reporting integration, stopping short of general language internals or syntax instruction.
Examples
Demonstrates square-number line charts through contrasting Matplotlib and Altair implementations.
What you can do after
Apply Python to build visualizations and reports without repeatedly transferring analyzed data into external tools.

Read how Data Storytelling with Altair and AI explains Python →

Related concepts

These guides are generated from the text of Manning books by Manning's knowledge graph and link to the sections they draw on. The full books are available on liveBook and at manning.com.