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Learn Python 3 the Hard Way: A Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World of Computers and Code (Zed Shaw's Hard Way Series) 4th Edition

by Zed Shaw (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,018 ratings
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Learn Python the Hard Way (Zed Shaw's Hard Way Series)
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You Will Learn Python 3!

Zed Shaw has perfected the world’s best system for learning Python 3. Follow it and you will succeed—just like the millions of beginners Zed has taught to date! You bring the discipline, commitment, and persistence; the author supplies everything else.

In Learn Python 3 the Hard Way, you’ll learn Python by working through 52 brilliantly crafted exercises. Read them. Type their code precisely. (No copying and pasting!) Fix your mistakes. Watch the programs run. As you do, you’ll learn how a computer works; what good programs look like; and how to read, write, and think about code. Zed then teaches you even more in 5+ hours of video where he shows you how to break, fix, and debug your code—live, as he’s doing the exercises.

  • Install a complete Python environment
  • Organize and write code
  • Fix and break code
  • Basic mathematics
  • Variables
  • Strings and text
  • Interact with users
  • Work with files
  • Looping and logic
  • Data structures using lists and dictionaries
  • Program design
  • Object-oriented programming
  • Inheritance and composition
  • Modules, classes, and objects
  • Python packaging
  • Automated testing
  • Basic game development
  • Basic web development

It’ll be hard at first. But soon, you’ll just get it—and that will feel great! This course will reward you for every minute you put into it. Soon, you’ll know one of the world’s most powerful, popular programming languages. You’ll be a Python programmer.

This Book Is Perfect For

  • Total beginners with zero programming experience
  • Junior developers who know one or two languages
  • Returning professionals who haven’t written code in years
  • Seasoned professionals looking for a fast, simple, crash course in Python 3
.
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Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    0134692888
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0134692883
  3. Edition
    4th
  4. Publication date
    June 27, 2017
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    6.9 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  7. Print length
    320 pages
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Benefits of Learning "The Hard Way"

Exercise 2

Exercise video

Young woman studying

No experience required - learn through exercises

The title says it’s the hard way to learn to write code, but it’s actually not. It’s only the “hard” way because it uses a technique called instruction. Instruction is where Zed tells you to do a sequence of controlled exercises designed to build a skill through repetition. This technique works very well with beginners who know nothing and need to acquire basic skills before they can understand more complex topics. It’s used in everything from martial arts to music to even basic math and reading skills.

Video screen casts

You will have access to online video screen casts for every exercise. These videos demonstrate how the code works and, most importantly, how to break it. They are the perfect place to demonstrate many common errors by breaking the Python code on purpose and showing you how to fix it. Shaw also walks through the code using debugging and interrogation tricks and techniques. The videos are where Zed shows you how to “stop staring and ask” the code what’s wrong.

The hard way is...easier

This book instructs you in Python by slowly building and establishing skills through techniques such as practice and memorization, then applying them to increasingly difficult problems. By the end of the book you will have the tools needed to begin learning more complex programming topics. Zed likes to tell people that the book gives you your “programming black belt.” What this means is that you know the basics well enough to now start learning programming.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Zed A. Shaw is the author of the popular online books Learn Python the Hard Way, Learn Ruby the Hard Way, and Learn C the Hard Way. He is also the creator of several open source software projects and has been programming and writing for nearly 20 years. Most of his free time is devoted to the study of painting and art history.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Addison-Wesley Professional; 4th edition (June 27, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0134692888
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0134692883
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.9 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,018 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Zed Shaw

Zed Shaw

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Zed Shaw is an avid guitar player, programmer, and writer whose books teach people all over the world how to write software. His book Learn Python the Hard Way has been read by millions of people around the world. His software has been used by many large and small companies. His essays are often quoted and read by members of many geek communities. He is an entertaining and lively writer, who is sure to keep you laughing and make you think.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,018 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

De Vaughn Elledge
5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide.
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book throws you into writing Python with out a lot of flowery wording. Straightforward instructions and examples. No confusing information a must have book for learning python.
One person found this helpful
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Mark Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Darn good book to introduce Python 3
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023
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While I have been a programmer of Fortran IV, Assembly Language, C, and some BASH script writing, I could not follow Python which is a "Structured" programing language. I tried a few online courses but I like books, so I ordered this book and I read it first, then I started over but this time started to write a few of the examples. The examples are pretty good and I started to understand the syntax and how to read Python. While this book is not all encompassing, it allowed me to make sense of commands I could look up on the internet. There was one area I thought was lacking, the explanation of 'classes'. It was a topic covered in the book but for myself, I couldn't comprehend was was being said. This is where having an in-person instruction would have helped me out.

Overall this is a very good book and I feel it was worth the $30 bucks I spent on it.
2 people found this helpful
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krave
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent up to a certain point, then..
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2019
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I consider myself somewhat intelligent. I have done some prior coding. I wanted to enhance my skills by putting coding on my resume. So that should tell you a bit about who i am and what I am seeking. I bought the book knowing that the title says "the hard way " in it.. Reading some of the book and looking at reviews I thought this is something I can handle.I think the book is excellent up to a certain point and then goes off the deep end. What I mean by this is that it starts out at a basic level teaching the reader how to install python and also how to write simple functions and such. great stuff and I like the approach. Then.. all of a sudden it jumps into OOP and starts talking about things I cannot follow. I did the exerecises and read over and over and still find it jumping from entry level to very advanced stuff. so.. given the context of the subject matter, the title indicates this is done the "hard way" but in the title there is also a phase that indicates this is a very simple introduction to the world of computers and code.. I think when we write or sell and instruction book, we need to stay at the level it is intended and consider the buyer and the level of his skills and STICK with that concept. I seriously doubt you can write a book which has the intent of teaching Python from the ground up and then jump off into OOP. I would have preferred to kept going with basic programming and then bought a more advanced book when I felt the need. Sorry.. half the book is a waste of my time. I was going to give this rating a 1 but consider the good value in the first half of the book. I'll keep it as a reference. But.. it could have been done differently.
***************************
I added some more comments here.. I went back to the book to redo the lessons.. I do find the manner of typing all the code very helpful and intuitive. it works to reinforce the material. I changed the review to 4 stars.. I still feel the section on OOP is out of context.. I'm keeping this book as a good reference place to actually write code and practice writing
15 people found this helpful
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Philip M. Mccartney
5.0 out of 5 stars LP3THW - Better Than Any Tutorial I've Tried
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
I've tried multiple tutorials from multiple sources (Udemy, Lynda, Tuts+, Codecademy, YouTube, etc.), but none of them compare to the LP3THW method. You'll get your hands dirty right away by diving straight into the exercises from the very beginning. You're not bogged down with a ton of theory up front. Instead the theory is gradually revealed as you progress through each exercise. Unfortunately there is one down side, if you want the accompanying videos, you will still need to purchase directly from his website. The Kindle version doesn't provide access to any of the online videos. I know many reviewers wrote negative reviews because of this, but it's how Zed has things set up. When you purchase LP3THW directly from Zed's website, you will be able to get any and all updates related to that purchase, including any new videos. And for those who seem to think Zed has a bad attitude when it comes to teaching, they fail to understand that he clearly states in one of his lessons, it's his goal to ensure that his students can move forward into a PROGRAMMING environment without the need of his ongoing help. I mean, that is the whole point of learning to program, isn't it?
15 people found this helpful
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Steve Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars no shortcuts
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2022
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Look, I’m not a software engineer by training or profession or inclination. I spent the last 2 decades listening to prospects, helping solve their problems, and building sales programs for tech startups. I’m a progressional seller. I’m a 42-year old white guy from New England with 3 dogs, a bunch of hobbies and a high maintenance relationship. I learned Python typing out my lpthw exercises in my spare time.

If you’re asking me: check. It’s worth it.
6 people found this helpful
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Philippe Dhawan
3.0 out of 5 stars Good for the basics but looses it when it comes to object oriented programming
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
Good for the basics only. Stop after that.

Does a horrible job trying to explain objects. Tries to get you to create a game for your first OO project. More typing than is necessary. Doesn't explain it very well. Go to YouTube and other sources to fill in the gaps. Does not explain automated testing either. Some of the utilities are deprecated.
One person found this helpful
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Dan H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very thorough and easy to understand
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2018
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The author does a great job of teaching by example. This is the fifth or sixth programming language that I've decided to learn and the technique of teaching simple concepts in small steps - rather than page after page of boring and easily forgotten "rules" - has made this "learn-by-doing" approach the easiest of any I've tried.
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mm
5.0 out of 5 stars This has to be your first Python book and it is THE book from which to start learning Python.
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018
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If you are learning Python 3, THIS IS THE BOOK TO GET FIRST.

"Learn Python 3 the Hard Way" is THE book to get first if you are learning Python. It is organized into exercise chapters that take you through a hands-on experience in learning Python (one of the fastest growing programming languages at the moment). This is not a book that you will read. it is a book you will work through. Zed Shaw takes you through 52 exercises that will teach you everything from writing your first program (the classic "Hello, World!" program) up through lists, dictionaries, loops, and so on. By the time you finish the 52 exercises, you will have a solid foundation for learning more about Python.

Of all of my books that I am asked to lend in my Python Meet-up group, this is the most popular by far.
23 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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CHARLES L L DUARTE
5.0 out of 5 stars Este é o verdadeiro jeito “Hard” de aprender Python!
Reviewed in Brazil on March 19, 2022
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A concepção do author em colocar linhas de códigos que você ao repetí-las vai num crescendo de dificuldades que tornam o aprendizado efetivo.
One person found this helpful
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Cbhospi
5.0 out of 5 stars Me encanta
Reviewed in Spain on January 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
Es el mejor libro para aprender Python.
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Stevinski
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant study material that comes with lectures at a reasonable price.
Reviewed in Canada on February 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
Throughout this textbook Zed Shaw takes a very methodical way of explaining python programming. This textbook is the first of the authors two books on python 3.

This textbook contains 52 exercises of python scripts. There are accompanying lectures for each.
To get the accompanying lectures, you first must register this book at https://www.informit.com/ as outlined in the preface of the text.

This textbook takes a more hands on approach and forces you to type it out and debug the code. Learning through this book is the harder way but once you do it you understand it more by experience.

if you have any questions or concerns about this text on your journey you can email the author and he can give you guidance at help@learncodethehardway.org.

This textbook is the same as Learn Python The Hard Way but for the python 3 interpreter.

I accidentally started studying Learn python The Hard way for the python 2 interpreter using the python 3 interpreter and I have been looking this text for reference when im stuck.

I am very impressed by his first book so this text should only be an improvement.

I would recommend this as the first book to anyone looking to learn python programming.

Quick outlay of his textbooks:
Learn Python The Hard Way - textbook for the older python 2 interpreter that comes with lectures on dvd
Learn Python 3 the Hard Way - Same as "Learn Python The Hard way" but revised for python3
Learn More Python 3 the hard way - The sequel to "Learn Python 3 the Hard Way" that comes with accompanying lectures once you register it.
One person found this helpful
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Manuel Alejandro Mijangos González
5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
Reviewed in Mexico on August 4, 2019
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Me gustó que tiene muchos ejercicios para practicar y cubre muchas cosas básicas, está muy bien para principiantes
One person found this helpful
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Bridget Kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant for Beginners, and an Intermediate Refesher
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
I originally purchased this book for a senior developer who wanted to go from Java to Python to keep his skills updated. When I got the book I had a quick flick through and I knew I would need to purchase it myself. I'm a full stack developer myself and last year I came over to backend and started learning Python, then jumped straight onto Django (advanced, got pretty good at it) but I found that when it came to writing some functions, classes I was still struggling as I didn't understand partly the logic and words like 'args' and 'kwargs' , functions how to write them, let alone the ruling of what if , else statements, as it wasn't explained online very well, no matter what course or tutorial I took, other issue was what version had I been learning Python in? Was it 2/3 god knows, no one ever wrote down the version.. hence why some of my code wouldn't work and left me in a confused sense of thought.

This book since reading it yesterday i've been able to jump back onto my Django / Python projects with a new found confidence, it now makes a lot more sense and has given me a real good fresher and understanding on the fundamentals. The author is brilliant and I really do look forward to purchasing more of these books as he makes it quite funny to learn python, and the coding examples are brilliant. The questions are also brilliant, explains these in a human readable context, very much in the way is wysiwyg.

Highly Recommend this book to any beginner, or any mid level developer who needs a refresh. I look forward to seeing more advanced books now from this author.
7 people found this helpful
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