5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, resourceful and probably best in its class

M.P. · 27 July 2021

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } This book is just amazing. A LOT of interesting and useful knowledge. Gets into detail in many different areas. Explained in plain English, which I love - you don’t need PhD or thirty years of computer science knowledge - all you need is basic understanding of Python and you’re in for a BIG treat.Highly recommend to any beginner or intermediate Python programmers.No matter what you want to learn, I think you should read this book!

5.0 out of 5 stars The best intermediate Python book I know

J. · 19 June 2021

This is one of the very few technical books where I've read the table of contents and a shiver has gone down my spine. The intermediate stages of becoming a developer are the hardest - there are so many different things to learn, and it's difficult to know what to learn and how to learn those things. This book, in my opinion contains everything to take a beginning programmer through those stages in a straight line.It covers everything from the standard way to format your code, how to understand error messages - and how to ask for help! - through to using git to manage your code, understanding object-orientation, and inheritance, and even some sample projects to build at the end. The chapters on code smells and common Python gotchas are worth the price of the book alone. The writing, as I'd expect in an Al Sweigart book, is clear, informal and engaging.I've struggled for years to recommend a book for advanced beginner to intermediate Python developers, but I'll happily be recommending this one from now on.Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of this book in return for the honest review you've just read.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but still very basic.

T. · 16 September 2022

After coming from Eric Mathes' "Python Crash Course" I was hoping this book would maybe be a bit of a challenge. But it wasn't. I definitely learnt a few cool things and it has helped me here and there, but I wouldn't say this material is much further than 'basic' definitely still worth a read though.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for building on a basic knowledge of python

M.M. · 6 May 2021

Having dabbled in various free python tutorials and videos over the years, I had a basic grasp of the language and could do basic data analysis in my work as a quality engineer.Beyond the Basic Stuff With Python helped me take this to the next level, I am far more confident in writing code and find myself making use of it far more often than in the past. As someone who makes extensive use of StackOverflow for python/SQL questions the chapter on how to improve the structure of these questions is also very helpful! The Gotchas chapter has been helpful for cleaning up my old code and not falling into traps - as someone who does not have a background in computer science or programming this is a fantastic reference. I have recommended this book (along with Automate the Boring Stuff) to my colleagues who are impressed with my new automation skills! Just have to make sure I don't automate myself out of a job...

Very good book!

R. · 22 October 2022

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Start of on the Right Foot

S.G. · 5 February 2021

I read this immediately after Python Crash Course. I experimented with Python about 20 years ago and now I'm back with it (and far more serious about it). There are a lot of interesting little nuances to be aware of, especially as you continue to develop larger, more in-depth code. That's what this book is. You'll get to see some of the back-end of how Python interprets code so you can avoid certain errors that would probably drive you absolutely nuts in debugging (enough of that will happen with your programming experience, you don't want to add to it).The other benefit of this book is to learn how to write "clean", "pythonic" code. There are general conventions that professional software developers use that you will want to use from the beginning so you don't develop bad habits. If you've already done development, some of it may be a repeat for you and you'll simply skim past. If you're new to professional software development, you'll find this extremely helpful.Keep in mind that the book does run through numerous applications of Python. It's a versatile language. You may have very specific needs and certain parts of the book may not pertain to you. Also, if you're just writing short scripts, this may not necessarily be for you (although you may want to pick up good habits if you think you might expand your use of Python later).

Incredibly useful and interesting

A.A. · 26 February 2021

I am a "home workshop" kind of programmer. I took one CS class in college 20 years ago and did well. I use code to help with work tasks (formatting a dozen Excel worksheets) and to comb through plaintext files of novels for interesting patterns (I teach English).This book is just what I didn't know I wanted. Advice on how to automatically format code, how to dig into Github (where I have an account but am baffled), how to ask a good question on Stackexchange, how to name functions and variables clearly and consistently: these are all questions I have had without knowing how to articulate them.Exceptionally well-written, clear, well-organized, and with a remarkable knack for separating wheat from chaff and understanding what a low-intermediate programmer like me will benefit from. It's superb.

Interesting

N.I. · 17 April 2021

I bought this book after havind read "Automate the boring stuff with Python" and maybe I expected too much from this book. It still has plenty of useful content, but this one is less practically oriented.and its content is less.

Well named! - A well written guide for next steps.

J.L. · 19 June 2021

There are dozens of books which offer a nearly identical introduction to Python. Beyond the Basic Stuff is not a reference, not an introduction; the content is unique and it is so well written you could read chapters at night.It offers a compilation of things you might learn the hard way after a few years of coming back to your code and wondering what "var1", "var2" and "tmp" were for... reading through print debugging statements, useless comments and duplicate code.The practical benefit of good style is a major theme. It also includes a valuable survey of commonly misused syntax, gotchas, efficiency, and some "esoteric oddities", Python tricks and lessons I have not seen in any other books.No Starch Press reliably puts out great books. The print quality, bold section headings, and immaculate editing made this a joy to read.