Python Library Reference Manual

Python Library Reference Manual is a reference book on the Python 3 standard library written by Taiwanese technical author Chen Jianxun (traditional Chinese edition published in 2012 by GOTOP Information Inc., approximately 308 pages). The book does not aim to teach readers how to write Python programs; instead, it focuses on lookup and usage. The author organizes the modules in the Python standard library most relevant to everyday development by function, explaining the classes, methods, and functions within each module one by one, accompanied by brief examples so readers can directly compare parameters and return values during use.

The main text begins with an overview and then covers built-in functions, mathematical operations, string and text processing, database access, file and directory handling, data compression, Python runtime services, operating system services, web development tools, and network communication. This arrangement is similar to the chapter structure of Python's official library reference documentation, but the explanations are adapted more closely to the language habits of local readers, with each interface's purpose and common pitfalls explained in Chinese.

It should be noted that this book explicitly does not cover syntax instruction, nor does it cover newer versions of the Python 3 standard library: it is based on Python 3 versions around 2012, and some module interfaces (for example, recommended usage for network communication, database drivers, and web development tools) have changed in later versions. It is therefore better suited as supplementary material for cross-reference than as the sole authoritative source. Developing the habit of first using it to quickly locate modules and functions, then checking the official documentation for the current version, will allow you to make the most of its value.