Neura Market
Think Python 2nd Edition logo

Think Python 2nd Edition

Free

Free Python book for beginners, step-by-step progression.

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Company
Green Tea Press
Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About Think Python 2nd Edition

Think Python is an introduction to Python programming for beginners. It starts with basic concepts of programming; it is carefully designed to define all terms when they are first used and to develop each new concept in a logical progression. Larger pieces, like recursion and object-oriented programming, are divided into a sequence of smaller steps and introduced over the course of several chapters. The second edition has been updated to Python 3, includes instructions for running Python in a browser via PythonAnywhere, and adds a chapter on list comprehensions and additional data structures. It is available for free under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.

Key Features

Python 3 examples and supporting code compatible with both Python 2 and 3
Browser-based Python environment (PythonAnywhere) for easy start without installation
Logical progression from basic to advanced topics with all terms defined when first used
Recursion and object-oriented programming broken into smaller steps over multiple chapters
Chapter dedicated to list comprehensions and additional data structures
Free and open source under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0
Exercises with solutions available on GitHub
Translations in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Marathi

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free and open access under permissive license
  • Well-structured step-by-step approach ideal for beginners
  • Updated to Python 3 with support for legacy Python 2 code
  • Provides browser-based Python environment for immediate practice
  • Includes exercises and solutions to reinforce learning
  • Available in multiple languages for wider accessibility
  • Comprehensive coverage including recursion, OOP, and data structures
Cons
  • Second edition may be outdated now that the third edition is available
  • Text-only format; lacks interactive exercises or video content
  • Requires separate Python installation or use of external browser environment for hands-on practice

Best For

Self-learning Python programming from scratchClassroom textbook for introductory computer science coursesReference for Python 3 basics and fundamental programming conceptsTeaching Python to beginners with no prior programming experience

FAQ

Is Think Python 2e free?
Yes, it is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License and can be downloaded for free in PDF or read online in HTML.
What is new in the second edition?
The second edition updates all examples to Python 3, provides instructions for running Python in a browser using PythonAnywhere, fixes pain points from the first edition, and adds a chapter on list comprehensions and additional data structures.
Where can I find the example programs and solutions?
They are available in a GitHub repository; instructions for working with the code are in the preface.
Is the book available in other languages?
Yes, translations are available in Spanish, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Vietnamese, and Marathi.