Python Programming with the Java Class Libraries: A Tutorial for Building Web and Enterprise Applications

From the Book: Python is a dynamic programming language with the power of well-known languages such as Java, C++, and Smalltalk, but is leaner and meaner than any of them. Even so, Python is very expressive—it doesn't talk much, but it has a lot to say. Python has another plus: It has the simplicity of languages such as VB Script or Java Script, which makes it easy for beginning programmers to learn. Those who know their way around a computer can pick it up quickly, particularly if they have ever created a spreadsheet that graphs and organizes data, written spreadsheet formulas, or created a Web page. For those who have, say, written macros or batchfiles, or programmed in any language, using Python will be a breeze. A Very Short History Python was derived from a language called ABC, which was co-created by Guido van Rossum in the early 1980s. The hope was that ABC's designed-in ease of use would become popular as a way to get up to programming speed quickly and painlessly. This hope didn't pan out, so van Rossum began a new project, Python, which debuted in 1990. He didn't forget ABC; in fact, there is a lot of ABC in Python's concise syntax and elegant expression, as well as its ease of use. The formula worked-it succeeded where ABC failed-and Python has stood the test of time. What You Will Learn Put simply, this book's goal is to teach programming using Python. You will learn the workings of Python and how to apply them, particularly for the following: AWT and Swing application developmentJava applet developmentInternet programmingRegular expressions and pattern matching You may not understand these concepts now, but that's thepoint. You will by the end of the book. If you're looking for a full language reference you won't find it here. What you will get is enough knowledge about Python to get started with programming on your own. The book will remind you often that the best way to learn programming is by doing it. That's why there are a lot of hands-on exercises in the form of interactive programming sessions, which you can follow along with at the keyboard as you read. Each chapter begins with a list of terms that are explained and/or used throughout the chapters and book. These are set in bold on their first mention. The Book's Audience As a reader of this book, you may be (1) a nonprogrammer who wants to learn a programming language, or (2) a programmer who wants to learn Python. For simplicity, both are referred to as novices. However, it is assumed that you know your computer and how to use it to get the job done. If you're not a member of the novice group, then you're probably an experienced programmer who is reading this book to learn a quicker and more powerful, higher-level language. For simplicity, this group is referred to as programmers. For Novices—You will be introduced to Python in conversational English, with many step-by-step examples. Chapters 2 through 9 build progressively on the chapters preceding them, so you should be able to learn enough to begin writing useful Python programs. The goal is to give you as much of a headstart as possible. From Chapter 10 on, the book's goal is to teach you more about Python and about supporting Java and Python libraries on your own, as well as about Internet programming with Python.For Programmers—If you're an experienced Java programmer, you are aware of the close relationship between Java and Python and how it can lead to better application development (see Chapter 1). You can skip over or skim the basic material and concentrate on the chapters' Advanced Topic sections and the various screened asides, which are geared to your level of understanding. Now let's get into the tour of Python—the destination is worth the trip.