The bestselling introduction to Python programming, revised to include the latest Python features, improved explanations, and new chapters about databases and sound files.
If you’ve ever spent hours renaming files or updating hundreds of spreadsheet cells, you know how tedious tasks like these can be. But what if you could have your computer do this work for you?
In this fully revised third edition of Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, you’ll learn how to use Python to write programs that do in minutes what would take you hours to do by hand—no prior programming experience required. Early chapters will teach you the fundamentals of Python through clear explanations and engaging examples. You’ll write your first Python program; work with strings, lists, dictionaries, and other data structures; then use regular expressions to find and manipulate text patterns.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll tackle projects that teach you to use Python to automate tasks like:
Searching the web, downloading content, and filling out formsFinding, extracting, and manipulating text and data in files and spreadsheetsCopying, moving, renaming, or compressing saved files on your computerSplitting, merging, and extracting text from PDFs and Word documentsInteracting with applications through custom mouse and keyboard macrosManaging your inbox, unsubscribing from lists, and sending email or text notifications
New to this edition: All code and examples have been thoroughly updated. You’ll also find four new chapters on database integration, speech recognition, and audio and video editing, as well as 16 new programming projects and expanded coverage of developer techniques like creating command line programs.
Don’t spend your time on work a well-trained monkey could do. Even if you’ve never written a line of code, you can pass off that grunt work to your computer. Learn how in Automate the Boring Stuff with Python.
From the Publisher
About the Author
Al Sweigart is a software developer, fellow of the Python Software Foundation, and author of several popular programming books including The Big Book of Small Python Projects, Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python, Coding with Minecraft, and The Recursive Book of Recursion (all from No Starch Press).
Customer Reviews
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4.6 out of 5 stars 46
5.0 out of 5 stars 5
4.8 out of 5 stars 52
4.7 out of 5 stars 781
User experience level
Beginner Beginner Beginner Intermediate Intermediate to Experienced Experienced
For readers who want
A gentle, kid-friendly introduction to Python A fast-paced, thorough introduction to Python A practical guide to using Python for automating tedious tasks To deepen their skills and explore creative applications of Python To use Python for research, simulation, and collaboration To explore the stealthier side of programming
Compatible with Python version
Python 3 Python 3 Python 3 Python 3 Python 3 Python 3
Special features
Kid-friendly, full-color code and illustrations Covers Django, matplotlib and plotly, and pygame Covers working with files en masse, automating emails and texts, scraping the web, and more Covers matplotlib, Numpy, OpenGL, Pillow, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi Covers Anaconda, Spyder, Jupyter Notebooks, JupyterLab Covers Python 3.x, Volatility Framework,ctypes, struct, lxml, BeautifulSoup
Page count
368 pages 511 pages 592 pages 448 pages 744 pages 216 pages
About the Publisher
No Starch Press has published the finest in geek entertainment since 1994, creating both timely and timeless titles like Python Crash Course, Python for Kids, How Linux Works, and Hacking: The Art of Exploitation. An independent, San Francisco-based publishing company, No Starch Press focuses on a curated list of well-crafted books that make a difference. They publish on many topics, including computer programming, cybersecurity, operating systems, and LEGO. The titles have personality, the authors are passionate experts, and all the content goes through extensive editorial and technical reviews. Long known for its fun, fearless approach to technology, No Starch Press has earned wide support from STEM enthusiasts worldwide.
ASIN : B0CG8BSP2R
Publisher : No Starch Press
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : May 20, 2025
Language : English
File size : 32.3 MB
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Not Enabled
Print length : 640 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1718503410
Page Flip : Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #41,548 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store) #2 in Open Source Programming #4 in Software Development (Books) #5 in Python Programming
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 46 ratings