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| -rw-r--r-- | Doc/tut.tex | 76 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | Doc/tut/tut.tex | 76 |
2 files changed, 70 insertions, 82 deletions
diff --git a/Doc/tut.tex b/Doc/tut.tex index a3d8da8..df41199 100644 --- a/Doc/tut.tex +++ b/Doc/tut.tex @@ -5,9 +5,8 @@ % Write a chapter entitled ``Some Useful Modules'' % --regex, math+cmath % Should really move the Python startup file info to an appendix -% -\title{Python Tutorial -- DRAFT of \today} +\title{Python Tutorial} \input{boilerplate} @@ -22,29 +21,44 @@ \begin{abstract} \noindent -Python is a simple, yet powerful programming language that bridges the -gap between C and shell programming, and is thus ideally suited for -``throw-away programming'' and rapid prototyping. Its syntax is put -together from constructs borrowed from a variety of other languages; -most prominent are influences from ABC, C, Modula-3 and Icon. +Python is an easy to learn, powerful programming language. It has +efficient high-level data structures and a simple but effective +approach to object-oriented programming. Python's elegant syntax and +dynamic typing, together with its interpreted nature, make it an ideal +language for scripting and rapid application development in many areas +on most platforms. + +The Python interpreter and the extensive standard library are freely +available in source or binary form for all major platforms from the +Python web site, \file{http://www.python.org}, and can be freely +distributed. The same site also contains distributions of and +pointers to many free third party Python modules, programs and tools, +and additional documentation. The Python interpreter is easily extended with new functions and data -types implemented in C. Python is also suitable as an extension -language for highly customizable C applications such as editors or -window managers. - -Python is available for many operating systems: -several flavors of \UNIX{}, the Apple Macintosh, MS-DOS, Windows -(3.1(1), '95 and NT flavors), OS/2, and others. +types implemented in C or C++ (or other languages callable from C). +Python is also suitable as an extension language for customizable +applications. This tutorial introduces the reader informally to the basic concepts and features of the Python language and system. It helps to have a -Python interpreter handy for hands-on experience, but as the examples -are self-contained, the tutorial can be read off-line as well. - -For a description of standard objects and modules, see the \emph{Python -Library Reference} document. The \emph{Python Reference Manual} gives -a more formal definition of the language. +Python interpreter handy for hands-on experience, but all examples are +self-contained, so the tutorial can be read off-line as well. + +For a description of standard objects and modules, see the +\emph{Python Library Reference} document. The \emph{Python Reference +Manual} gives a more formal definition of the language. To write +extensions in C or C++, read the \emph{Extending and Embedding} and +\emph{Python/C API} manuals. There are also several books covering +Python in depth. + +This tutorial does not attempt to be comprehensive and cover every +single feature, or even every commonly used feature. Instead, it +introduces many of Python's most noteworthy features, and will give +you a good idea of the language's flavor and style. After reading it, +you will be able to read and write Python modules and programs, and +you will be ready to learn more about the various Python library +modules described in the \emph{Python Library Reference}. \end{abstract} @@ -61,26 +75,6 @@ a more formal definition of the language. \chapter{Whetting Your Appetite} -\section{Disclaimer} - -Now that there are several books out on Python, this tutorial has lost -its role as the only introduction to Python for most new users. This -tutorial does not attempt to be comprehensive and cover every single -feature, or even every commonly used feature. Instead, it introduces -many of Python's most noteworthy features, and will give you a good -idea of the language's flavor and style. - -%It takes time to keep a document like this up to date in the face of -%additions to the language, and I simply don't have enough time to do a -%good job. Therefore, this version of the tutorial is almost unchanged -%since the previous release. This doesn't mean that the tutorial is -%out of date --- all the examples still work exactly as before. There -%are simply some new areas of the language that aren't covered. - -%To make up for this, there are some chapters at the end that cover -%important changes in recent Python releases, and these are up to date -%with the current release. - \section{Introduction} If you ever wrote a large shell script, you probably know this @@ -150,7 +144,7 @@ and use it as an extension or command language for that application. By the way, the language is named after the BBC show ``Monty Python's Flying Circus'' and has nothing to do with nasty reptiles. Making references to Monty Python skits in documentation is not only allowed, -it is encouraged. +it is encouraged! \section{Where From Here} diff --git a/Doc/tut/tut.tex b/Doc/tut/tut.tex index a3d8da8..df41199 100644 --- a/Doc/tut/tut.tex +++ b/Doc/tut/tut.tex @@ -5,9 +5,8 @@ % Write a chapter entitled ``Some Useful Modules'' % --regex, math+cmath % Should really move the Python startup file info to an appendix -% -\title{Python Tutorial -- DRAFT of \today} +\title{Python Tutorial} \input{boilerplate} @@ -22,29 +21,44 @@ \begin{abstract} \noindent -Python is a simple, yet powerful programming language that bridges the -gap between C and shell programming, and is thus ideally suited for -``throw-away programming'' and rapid prototyping. Its syntax is put -together from constructs borrowed from a variety of other languages; -most prominent are influences from ABC, C, Modula-3 and Icon. +Python is an easy to learn, powerful programming language. It has +efficient high-level data structures and a simple but effective +approach to object-oriented programming. Python's elegant syntax and +dynamic typing, together with its interpreted nature, make it an ideal +language for scripting and rapid application development in many areas +on most platforms. + +The Python interpreter and the extensive standard library are freely +available in source or binary form for all major platforms from the +Python web site, \file{http://www.python.org}, and can be freely +distributed. The same site also contains distributions of and +pointers to many free third party Python modules, programs and tools, +and additional documentation. The Python interpreter is easily extended with new functions and data -types implemented in C. Python is also suitable as an extension -language for highly customizable C applications such as editors or -window managers. - -Python is available for many operating systems: -several flavors of \UNIX{}, the Apple Macintosh, MS-DOS, Windows -(3.1(1), '95 and NT flavors), OS/2, and others. +types implemented in C or C++ (or other languages callable from C). +Python is also suitable as an extension language for customizable +applications. This tutorial introduces the reader informally to the basic concepts and features of the Python language and system. It helps to have a -Python interpreter handy for hands-on experience, but as the examples -are self-contained, the tutorial can be read off-line as well. - -For a description of standard objects and modules, see the \emph{Python -Library Reference} document. The \emph{Python Reference Manual} gives -a more formal definition of the language. +Python interpreter handy for hands-on experience, but all examples are +self-contained, so the tutorial can be read off-line as well. + +For a description of standard objects and modules, see the +\emph{Python Library Reference} document. The \emph{Python Reference +Manual} gives a more formal definition of the language. To write +extensions in C or C++, read the \emph{Extending and Embedding} and +\emph{Python/C API} manuals. There are also several books covering +Python in depth. + +This tutorial does not attempt to be comprehensive and cover every +single feature, or even every commonly used feature. Instead, it +introduces many of Python's most noteworthy features, and will give +you a good idea of the language's flavor and style. After reading it, +you will be able to read and write Python modules and programs, and +you will be ready to learn more about the various Python library +modules described in the \emph{Python Library Reference}. \end{abstract} @@ -61,26 +75,6 @@ a more formal definition of the language. \chapter{Whetting Your Appetite} -\section{Disclaimer} - -Now that there are several books out on Python, this tutorial has lost -its role as the only introduction to Python for most new users. This -tutorial does not attempt to be comprehensive and cover every single -feature, or even every commonly used feature. Instead, it introduces -many of Python's most noteworthy features, and will give you a good -idea of the language's flavor and style. - -%It takes time to keep a document like this up to date in the face of -%additions to the language, and I simply don't have enough time to do a -%good job. Therefore, this version of the tutorial is almost unchanged -%since the previous release. This doesn't mean that the tutorial is -%out of date --- all the examples still work exactly as before. There -%are simply some new areas of the language that aren't covered. - -%To make up for this, there are some chapters at the end that cover -%important changes in recent Python releases, and these are up to date -%with the current release. - \section{Introduction} If you ever wrote a large shell script, you probably know this @@ -150,7 +144,7 @@ and use it as an extension or command language for that application. By the way, the language is named after the BBC show ``Monty Python's Flying Circus'' and has nothing to do with nasty reptiles. Making references to Monty Python skits in documentation is not only allowed, -it is encouraged. +it is encouraged! \section{Where From Here} |