Unlocking Python

A fun and practical guide to learning Python with a special focus on data science, web scraping, and web applications

In Unlocking Python: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners, veteran software engineer, educator, and author Ryan Mitchell delivers an intuitive, engaging, and practical roadmap to Python programming. The author walks you through the vocabulary, tools, foundational knowledge, and occasional pop-culture references you'll need to hone your skills with this popular programming language.

You'll learn how to install and run Python on your own machine, get up and coding with the language quickly, and best practices for programming both independently and in the workplace. You'll also find:

• Key concepts in computer and data science explained from the ground up
• Advanced Python topics such as logging, unit testing, multiprocessing, and interacting with databases.
• Introductions to some of Python's most popular third-party libraries: Flask, Django, Scrapy, Scikit-Learn, Numpy, and Pandas
• Amusing anecdotes from the trenches of industry

Perfect for tech-savvy professionals at any stage of their careers who are interested in diving into Python programming. Unlocking Python is also a must-read for readers who work in a technical role but are interested in getting more directly involved with programming, as well as non-Python programmers who want to apply their technical skill to a new language.

About The Author

Ryan Mitchell is the author of Unlocking Python (Wiley) and Web Scraping with Python (O’Reilly). She has six LinkedIn Learning courses, including Python Essential Training, the leading Python course on the platform. An expert in web scraping, application security, and data science, Ryan has hosted workshops and spoken at many events, including Data Day Texas and DEF CON.

Ryan holds a master’s degree in software engineering from Harvard University Extension School and a bachelor’s in engineering from Olin College of Engineering. She is currently a principal software engineer at the Gerson Lehrman Group where she does back end development and data science on the search team.