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1.5 Python ResourcesThe richest of all Python resources is the Internet. The starting point is Python's site, http://www.python.org, which is full of interesting links that you will want to explore. And http://www.jython.org is a must if you have any interest in Jython. 1.5.1 DocumentationPython and Jython come with good documentation. The manuals are available in many formats, suitable for viewing, searching, and printing. You can browse the manuals on the Web at http://www.python.org/doc/current/. You can find links to the various formats you can download at http://www.python.org/doc/current/download.html, and http://www.python.org/doc/ has links to a large variety of documents. For Jython, http://www.jython.org/docs/ has links to Jython-specific documents as well as general Python ones. The Python FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is at http://www.python.org/doc/FAQ.html, and the Jython-specific FAQ is at http://www.jython.org/cgi-bin/faqw.py?req=index. Most Python documentation (including this book) assumes some software development knowledge. However, Python is quite suitable for first-time programmers, so there are exceptions to this rule. A few good introductory online texts are:
1.5.2 Newsgroups and Mailing ListsThe URL http://www.python.org/psa/MailingLists.html has links to Python-related mailing lists and newsgroups. Always use plain-text format, not HTML, in all messages to mailing lists and newsgroups. The Usenet newsgroup for Python discussions is comp.lang.python. The newsgroup is also available as a mailing list. To subscribe, send a message whose body is the word subscribe to python-list-request@python.org. Python-related announcements are posted to comp.lang.python.announce. To subscribe to its mailing-list equivalent, send a message whose body is the word subscribe to python-announce-list-request@python.org. To subscribe to Jython's mailing list, visit http://lists.sf.net/lists/listinfo/jython-users. To ask for individual help with Python, email your question to python-help@python.org. For questions and discussions about using Python to teach or learn programming, write to tutor@python.org. 1.5.3 Special Interest GroupsDiscussions on specialized subjects related to Python take place on the mailing lists of Python Special Interest Groups (SIGs). http://www.python.org/sigs/ has a list of active SIGs and pointers to general and specific information about them. Over a dozen SIGs are active at the time of this writing. Here are a few examples:
1.5.4 Python Business ForumThe Python Business Forum (PBF), at http://www.python-in-business.org/, is an international society of companies that base their business on Python. The PBF was formed quite recently, but the site already offers interesting information about business uses of Python. 1.5.5 Python JournalThe Python Journal, http://pythonjournal.cognizor.com/, is a free online publication focusing on Python, how to use it, and its applications. 1.5.6 Extension Modules and Python SourcesA good starting point to explore the world of available Python extensions and sources is "The Vaults of Parnassus," available at http://www.vex.net/parnassus/. It contains over 1,000 classified and commented links. By following these links, you can find and download most freely available Python modules and tools. The standard Python source distribution contains excellent Python source code in the standard library and in the Demos and Tools directories, as well as C source for the many built-in extension modules. Even if you have no interest in building Python from source, I suggest you download and unpack the Python source distribution for study purposes. Many Python modules and tools covered in this book also have dedicated sites. References to these sites are included in the appropriate chapters in this book. 1.5.7 The Python CookbookActiveState has built a collaborative web site at http://www.activestate.com/ASPN/Python/Cookbook that contains a living collection of Python recipes. Each recipe contains some Python code, with comments and discussion, contributed by volunteers and enriched with the contributions of readers, under the editorial supervision of David Ascher. All code is covered by a license similar to Python's. Everyone is invited to participate as author and reader in this interesting and useful community endeavor. Hundreds of recipes from the site, edited, commented, and grouped into chapters with introductions by well-known Python experts, are published by O'Reilly as the Python Cookbook, edited by Alex Martelli and David Ascher. 1.5.8 Books and MagazinesAlthough the Net is a rich source of information, books and magazines still have their place (if you and I didn't agree on this, I wouldn't be writing this book, and you wouldn't be reading it). At the time of this writing, the only magazine entirely devoted to Python is Py (for updated information, visit http://www.pyzine.com/). Books about Python and Jython are more numerous. Here are a few that I recommend:
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