Python Web Programming (Landmark) (Paperback)

Not so, silly me. It covers much more important things than the various web development frameworks (it covers them too, but that kind of info isn't where books can shine, as it's all available on the net). Instead, you get to benefit from Steve's many years of experience in designing and programing in a networked environment. Design guidelines and common sense are seamlessly integrated with Python specific coverage, and the mixture is so well woven that you don't even notice. I've never seen such good advice in a waffle free computing book before.
You just realise half way through a chapter that you've learnt something about how systems should interact, not just how to write some Python to do it (which is of no long term use if you can't go and work out how to design similar stuff for yourself -- the library modules are documented elsewhere, the insight and design snippets aren't).

Many books have some lightweight coverage of the core Python language in the front. I tend to ignore those sections because they're light on useful info and not as good as the online reference, but I actually read this one. It's most informative, a bit like a cross between a tutorial and a reference. If you've programed before then, along with the online tutorial, it should get you more than up to speed.

Well done Steve -- it's a stormer, and very nicely written (it's one of the few software books that I've bought in the last few years that's been written in a light and jovial style).

I'd recommend it very highly to any beginning or intermediate programmer. If you really know your onions in the Python + networking stakes then it might not teach you so much, but it's still a good read, and still highly recommended.

There is not much to add to positive points noted by previous reviews but they have omitted one important thing about this book. Up until Chapter 17 the content remains concise, sample code is well documented and explained but chapters 17 and 18 are let downs unless you are willing to do some research on the net and dig out original book code (now residing at holdenweb.com)

Chapter 17 that introduces AWeFUL; An Object-Oriented Web Site Framework starts well and what little is written on it, is well written, however, chapter only contains small parts of the framework and at the end of it, you won't have a working site. Several critical modules are omitted and despite of showing final site running on framework, all you'll be seeing are exactly that: the images from author's screen.

Similar problems to Chapter 17 are present on Chapter 18, the sample site is dependant on several modules not included in the book and unless you download book code from author's website (and couple addtional Python modules as well), you won't be able to build a working website.

On the whole, seems to me that the author has either lost his patience, was running out of space or has tried to write about something he hadn't planned properly and didn't finish on time for book.

Also slight disappointment was, especially, exclusion of MySQL from database usage examples. Already 2002 MySQL was widely used as a database backend for websites and excluding it from a book that deals with web development, it is somewhat disappointing.

Above flaws may sound worse than they really are, just something you should be aware of if you decide to buy this book and expect high standards throughout.