A Byte of Python

Among introductory Python books, what sets this one apart is not completeness but brevity. In just over a hundred pages, the author explains the language's basic building blocks one by one in an almost conversational tone: variables, expressions, control flow, functions, modules, data structures, classes, and exceptions, each accompanied by short examples, so that almost no prior knowledge is required. It first circulated online as a free book that could be freely downloaded, translated, and shared, and over the years it has accumulated a large number of "my first programming book"-style praise. One caveat: the book is essentially a guided tutorial. It helps you build a conceptual framework and get your first program running, but it does not go deep into performance, engineering practice, or the vast third-party ecosystem; its Python 2-related content is also clearly outdated. The ideal way to use it is as a map for beginners: open your editor and type along as you read, then move straight on to the official documentation or more systematic project practice. Chinese readers should also note the differences between editions: Shen Jieyuan's translation corresponds to the earlier version 1.20, with gentle language but older examples; Molun's translation corresponds to version 4.0, centers on Python 3, and is better suited to today's learning environment.