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diff --git a/Doc/lib/libintro.tex b/Doc/lib/libintro.tex deleted file mode 100644 index 62434cd..0000000 --- a/Doc/lib/libintro.tex +++ /dev/null @@ -1,53 +0,0 @@ -\chapter{Introduction} -\label{intro} - -The ``Python library'' contains several different kinds of components. - -It contains data types that would normally be considered part of the -``core'' of a language, such as numbers and lists. For these types, -the Python language core defines the form of literals and places some -constraints on their semantics, but does not fully define the -semantics. (On the other hand, the language core does define -syntactic properties like the spelling and priorities of operators.) - -The library also contains built-in functions and exceptions --- -objects that can be used by all Python code without the need of an -\keyword{import} statement. Some of these are defined by the core -language, but many are not essential for the core semantics and are -only described here. - -The bulk of the library, however, consists of a collection of modules. -There are many ways to dissect this collection. Some modules are -written in C and built in to the Python interpreter; others are -written in Python and imported in source form. Some modules provide -interfaces that are highly specific to Python, like printing a stack -trace; some provide interfaces that are specific to particular -operating systems, such as access to specific hardware; others provide -interfaces that are -specific to a particular application domain, like the World Wide Web. -Some modules are available in all versions and ports of Python; others -are only available when the underlying system supports or requires -them; yet others are available only when a particular configuration -option was chosen at the time when Python was compiled and installed. - -This manual is organized ``from the inside out:'' it first describes -the built-in data types, then the built-in functions and exceptions, -and finally the modules, grouped in chapters of related modules. The -ordering of the chapters as well as the ordering of the modules within -each chapter is roughly from most relevant to least important. - -This means that if you start reading this manual from the start, and -skip to the next chapter when you get bored, you will get a reasonable -overview of the available modules and application areas that are -supported by the Python library. Of course, you don't \emph{have} to -read it like a novel --- you can also browse the table of contents (in -front of the manual), or look for a specific function, module or term -in the index (in the back). And finally, if you enjoy learning about -random subjects, you choose a random page number (see module -\refmodule{random}) and read a section or two. Regardless of the -order in which you read the sections of this manual, it helps to start -with chapter \ref{builtin}, ``Built-in Types, Exceptions and -Functions,'' as the remainder of the manual assumes familiarity with -this material. - -Let the show begin! |