A guide to completing Python projects for those ready to take their skills to the next level

Python Projects is the ultimate resource for the Python programmer with basic skills who is ready to move beyond tutorials and start building projects.

The preeminent guide to bridge the gap between learning and doing, this book walks readers through the "where" and "how" of real-world Python programming with practical, actionable instruction. With a focus on real-world functionality, Python Projects details the ways that Python can be used to complete daily tasks and bring efficiency to businesses and individuals alike.

Python Projects is written specifically for those who know the Python syntax and lay of the land, but may still be intimidated by larger, more complex projects. The book provides a walk-through of the basic set-up for an application and the building and packaging for a library, and explains in detail the functionalities related to the projects. Topics include:

*How to maximize the power of the standard library modules
*Where to get third party libraries, and the best practices for utilization
*Creating, packaging, and reusing libraries within and across projects
*Building multi-layered functionality including networks, data, and user interfaces
*Setting up development environments and using virtualenv, pip, and more

Written by veteran Python trainers, the book is structured for easy navigation and logical progression that makes it ideal for individual, classroom, or corporate training.

For Python developers looking to apply their skills to real-world challenges, Python Projects is a goldmine of information and expert insight.

Laura Cassell is the founder of PyLadies Atlanta. She
taught Python and JavaScript for Big Nerd Ranch, and is now an
engineering manager for the Python team at New Relic.

Alan Gauld is an enterprise architect working in the
telecommunications and customer service industries. He has used
Python since 1998, and is a moderator and active participant in the
python-tutor mailing list.

Wrox guides are crafted to make learning programming
languages and technologies easier than you think. Written by
programmers for programmers, they provide a structured, tutorial
format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

Boost your Python skills with practical real-world projects

Bridging the gap between learning and doing, this book walks you through the where and how of real-world Python programming with practical, actionable guidance. Focused on functionality, the hands-on instruction covers the basic application set-up and library construction and packaging to help you move beyond tutorials and start building projects, with the help of veteran Python trainers who provide valuable insight along the way. You should be familiar with the basic syntax of the core Python language, and ready to develop your skills to become proficient in the practical application of this top programming language.

Python Projects:

• Learn how Python works in the real world to complete daily tasks and bring efficiency to business
• Discover how libraries work, where to use them, and the best places to get them
• Set up development environments using Virtualenv, Pip, and more
• Create, package, and share libraries with other users in the Python community
• Build projects with a layered approach, using libraries to add function at each iteration
• Apply Python to real-world intermediate-level projects to gain confidence for larger open-source projects

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INTRODUCTION xxv

CHAPTER 1: REVIEWING CORE PYTHON 1

Exploring the Python Language and the Interpreter 2

Reviewing the Python Data Types 3

Numeric Types: Integer and Float 4

The Boolean Type 5

The None Type 6

Collection Types 6

Strings 7

Bytes and ByteArrays 8

Tuples 10

Lists 10

Dictionaries 12

Sets 13

Using Python Control Structures 15

Structuring Your Program 15

Using Sequences, Blocks and Comments 16

Selecting an Execution Path 17

Iteration 18

Handling Exceptions 20

Managing Context 21

Getting Data In and Out of Python 21

Interacting with Users 21

Using Text Files 23

Extending Python 24

Defining and Using Functions 24

Generator Functions 26

Lambda Functions 27

Defining and Using Classes and Objects 28

Creating and Using Modules and Packages 33

Using and Creating Modules 33

Using and Creating Packages 34

Creating an Example Package 36

Using ThirdParty Packages 42

Summary 43

CHAPTER 2: SCRIPTING WITH PYTHON 47

Accessing the Operating System 48

Obtaining Information about Users and Their Computer 49

Obtaining Information about the Current Process 53

Managing Other Programs 55

Managing Subprocesses More Effectively 58

Obtaining Information about Files (and Devices) 60

Navigating and Manipulating the File system 62

Plumbing the Directory Tree Depths 69

Working with Dates and Times 72

Using the time Module 72

Introducing the datetime Module 75

Introducing the calendar Module 76

Handling Common File Formats 76

Using CommaSeparated Values 76

Working with Confi g Files 83

Working with XML and HTML Files 86

Parsing XML Files 86

Parsing HTML Files 89

Accessing Native APIs with ctypes and pywin32 93

Accessing the Operating System Libraries 94

Using ctypes with Windows 95

Using ctypes on Linux 96

Accessing a Windows Application Using COM 96

Automating Tasks Involving Multiple Applications 98

Using Python First 98

Using Operating System Utilities 98

Using Data Files 98

Using a ThirdParty Module 99

Interacting with Subprocesses via a CLI 99

Using Web Services for ServerBased Applications 99

Using a Native Code API 100

Using GUI Robotics 100

Summary 100

CHAPTER 3: MANAGING DATA 103

Storing Data Using Python 104

Using DBM as a Persistent Dictionary 104

Using Pickle to Store and Retrieve Objects 109

Accessing Objects with shelve 111

Analyzing Data with Python 116

Analyzing Data Using BuiltIn Features of Python 116

Analyzing Data with ittertools 119

Utility Functions 119

Data Processing Functions 121

Taming the Vagaries of groupby() 122

Using itertools to Analyze LendyDB Data 124

Managing Data Using SQL 125

Relational Database Concepts 126

Structured Query Language 127

Creating Tables 128

Inserting Data 129

Reading Data 130

Modifying Data 133

Linking Data across Tables 134

Digging Deeper into Data Constraints 134

Revisiting SQLite Field Types 135

Modeling Relationships with Constraints 136

ManytoMany Relationships 140

Migrating LendyDB to an SQL Database 143

Accessing SQL from…