BeautyBooksElectronicsHome & KitchenSports & OutdoorsIndustrial & ScientificToys & Games
Deliver toUnited Arab Emirates
Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python: Best Practices for Writing Clean Code

Description:

BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN NOVICE AND PROFESSIONAL

You've completed a basic Python programming tutorial or finished Al Sweigart's bestseller, Automate the Boring Stuff with Python. What's the next step toward becoming a capable, confident software developer?

Welcome to Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python. More than a mere collection of advanced syntax and masterful tips for writing clean code, you'll learn how to advance your Python programming skills by using the command line and other professional tools like code formatters, type checkers, linters, and version control. Sweigart takes you through best practices for setting up your development environment, naming variables, and improving readability, then tackles documentation, organization and performance measurement, as well as object-oriented design and the Big-O algorithm analysis commonly used in coding interviews. The skills you learn will boost your ability to program--not just in Python but in any language.

You'll learn:
  • Coding style, and how to use Python's Black auto-formatting tool for cleaner code
  • Common sources of bugs, and how to detect them with static analyzers
  • How to structure the files in your code projects with the Cookiecutter template tool
  • Functional programming techniques like lambda and higher-order functions
  • How to profile the speed of your code with Python's built-in timeit and cProfile modules
  • The computer science behind Big-O algorithm analysis
  • How to make your comments and docstrings informative, and how often to write them
  • How to create classes in object-oriented programming, and why they're used to organize code

Toward the end of the book you'll read a detailed source-code breakdown of two classic command-line games, the Tower of Hanoi (a logic puzzle) and Four-in-a-Row (a two-player tile-dropping game), and a breakdown of how their code follows the book's best practices. You'll test your skills by implementing the program yourself.

Of course, no single book can make you a professional software developer. But Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python will get you further down that path and make you a better programmer, as you learn to write readable code that's easy to debug and perfectly Pythonic

Requirements: Covers Python 3.6 and higher
Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A great new book . . . Sweigart focuses on three major subjects: common difficulties in getting started (seeking help, setting up a work environment); best practices, tools, and techniques; and using object-oriented Python. The second section is the largest in the book . . . but each section can be read on its own. The book is all the more useful for collecting together between one pair of covers material that you would typically dig up from multiple resources."
—Serdar Yegulalp, InfoWorld

"My early Python programs work but could be improved massively with what Al writes about . . . a small goldmine of knowledge that beginners, intermediates and probably even advanced programmers will benefit from."
—GeekTechStuff

About the Author

Al Sweigart is a professional software developer who teaches programming to kids and adults. Sweigart has written several bestselling programming books for beginners, including Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python, Coding with Minecraft, and Cracking Codes with Python (all from No Starch Press).

Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly useful and interesting

A.A. · February 26, 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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simplicity

O.H. · September 6, 2025

Good

5.0 out of 5 stars Start of on the Right Foot

S.G. · February 5, 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).

4.0 out of 5 stars Great info in this book.

A.J.P. · August 8, 2021

I like the book. Instantly made some concepts make sense to me.Apparently before it was packaged some stick substance was spilled on the cover. It's kind of minor, but not getting a nice fresh and clean book is kind of annoying.

5.0 out of 5 stars Well named! - A well written guide for next steps.

J.L. · June 19, 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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for getting past the monotony

C.L. · March 9, 2021

One of the most boring books I’ve ever read...however, this book has taken my python game to new levels. So far, this is one of the most in depth python tutorials for people looking to get past the monotonous intro books that all say the same thing. I will continue to use this book as a reference for years to come. It sits on my desk next to my keyboard and will likely stay there for a long time.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another good book for the Python library

R.D. · June 30, 2021

I have several Python books that are basically reference books now. This is one of them. Good information, nicely written and useful. So far all of my "No Press" books have been good. Although, the binding does have something to be desired. But I'll continue to order from them if the book is worth having on my shelf.

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't say enough good.

D.C. · May 1, 2021

These books, while the cover binding sucks, are excellent instructional texts. I have three of their books on Linux, and this makes two of their books on Python. I love how they present the material. It's so easy to understand that it's almost unfair. I am a huge fan of this publisher.

Very good book!

R. · October 22, 2022

Totally recommended except that it is printed in black and white.

Great book, but still very basic.

T. · September 16, 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.

Interesting

N.I. · April 17, 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.

Not so beyond basic

R.F.P. · March 19, 2025

Can't say that I learn alot from this book. It's still pretty basic to me and I'm just a hobbist.

Next Level Python!

G. · March 1, 2021

Very interesting for the beginner AND the advanced Python developers.

Visit the No Starch Press Store

Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python: Best Practices for Writing Clean Code

Product ID: U1593279663
Condition: New

4.7

AED27500

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by

Free delivery on orders over AED 200

Return and refund policies

Imported From: United States

At bolo.ae, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.

We do not sell counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods. Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support . We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, is provided by third-party vendors. bolo.ae is not responsible for any claims, promotions, or representations made within product content or images. For more accurate or detailed product information, please contact the manufacturer directly or reach out to Bolo Support.

Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

bolo.ae operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “Python”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/U1593279663

Visit the No Starch Press Store

Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python: Best Practices for Writing Clean Code

Product ID: U1593279663
Condition: New

4.7

Type: Paperback

AED27500

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by

Free delivery on orders over AED 200

Return and refund policies

Imported From: United States

At bolo.ae, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.

We do not sell counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods. Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support . We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, is provided by third-party vendors. bolo.ae is not responsible for any claims, promotions, or representations made within product content or images. For more accurate or detailed product information, please contact the manufacturer directly or reach out to Bolo Support.

Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

bolo.ae operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN NOVICE AND PROFESSIONAL

You've completed a basic Python programming tutorial or finished Al Sweigart's bestseller, Automate the Boring Stuff with Python. What's the next step toward becoming a capable, confident software developer?

Welcome to Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python. More than a mere collection of advanced syntax and masterful tips for writing clean code, you'll learn how to advance your Python programming skills by using the command line and other professional tools like code formatters, type checkers, linters, and version control. Sweigart takes you through best practices for setting up your development environment, naming variables, and improving readability, then tackles documentation, organization and performance measurement, as well as object-oriented design and the Big-O algorithm analysis commonly used in coding interviews. The skills you learn will boost your ability to program--not just in Python but in any language.

You'll learn:
  • Coding style, and how to use Python's Black auto-formatting tool for cleaner code
  • Common sources of bugs, and how to detect them with static analyzers
  • How to structure the files in your code projects with the Cookiecutter template tool
  • Functional programming techniques like lambda and higher-order functions
  • How to profile the speed of your code with Python's built-in timeit and cProfile modules
  • The computer science behind Big-O algorithm analysis
  • How to make your comments and docstrings informative, and how often to write them
  • How to create classes in object-oriented programming, and why they're used to organize code

Toward the end of the book you'll read a detailed source-code breakdown of two classic command-line games, the Tower of Hanoi (a logic puzzle) and Four-in-a-Row (a two-player tile-dropping game), and a breakdown of how their code follows the book's best practices. You'll test your skills by implementing the program yourself.

Of course, no single book can make you a professional software developer. But Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python will get you further down that path and make you a better programmer, as you learn to write readable code that's easy to debug and perfectly Pythonic

Requirements: Covers Python 3.6 and higher
Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A great new book . . . Sweigart focuses on three major subjects: common difficulties in getting started (seeking help, setting up a work environment); best practices, tools, and techniques; and using object-oriented Python. The second section is the largest in the book . . . but each section can be read on its own. The book is all the more useful for collecting together between one pair of covers material that you would typically dig up from multiple resources."
—Serdar Yegulalp, InfoWorld

"My early Python programs work but could be improved massively with what Al writes about . . . a small goldmine of knowledge that beginners, intermediates and probably even advanced programmers will benefit from."
—GeekTechStuff

About the Author

Al Sweigart is a professional software developer who teaches programming to kids and adults. Sweigart has written several bestselling programming books for beginners, including Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python, Coding with Minecraft, and Cracking Codes with Python (all from No Starch Press).

Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly useful and interesting

A.A. · February 26, 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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simplicity

O.H. · September 6, 2025

Good

5.0 out of 5 stars Start of on the Right Foot

S.G. · February 5, 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).

4.0 out of 5 stars Great info in this book.

A.J.P. · August 8, 2021

I like the book. Instantly made some concepts make sense to me.Apparently before it was packaged some stick substance was spilled on the cover. It's kind of minor, but not getting a nice fresh and clean book is kind of annoying.

5.0 out of 5 stars Well named! - A well written guide for next steps.

J.L. · June 19, 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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for getting past the monotony

C.L. · March 9, 2021

One of the most boring books I’ve ever read...however, this book has taken my python game to new levels. So far, this is one of the most in depth python tutorials for people looking to get past the monotonous intro books that all say the same thing. I will continue to use this book as a reference for years to come. It sits on my desk next to my keyboard and will likely stay there for a long time.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another good book for the Python library

R.D. · June 30, 2021

I have several Python books that are basically reference books now. This is one of them. Good information, nicely written and useful. So far all of my "No Press" books have been good. Although, the binding does have something to be desired. But I'll continue to order from them if the book is worth having on my shelf.

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't say enough good.

D.C. · May 1, 2021

These books, while the cover binding sucks, are excellent instructional texts. I have three of their books on Linux, and this makes two of their books on Python. I love how they present the material. It's so easy to understand that it's almost unfair. I am a huge fan of this publisher.

Very good book!

R. · October 22, 2022

Totally recommended except that it is printed in black and white.

Great book, but still very basic.

T. · September 16, 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.

Interesting

N.I. · April 17, 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.

Not so beyond basic

R.F.P. · March 19, 2025

Can't say that I learn alot from this book. It's still pretty basic to me and I'm just a hobbist.

Next Level Python!

G. · March 1, 2021

Very interesting for the beginner AND the advanced Python developers.

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “Python”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/U1593279663