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Real-World Python

A Gentle and Practical Introduction to Python Programming

Most Python books teach syntax. This book teaches you to build real programs. Start from clear fundamentals, then create practical command-line and desktop GUI applications step by step — with no gaps and no shortcuts.

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About

About

About the Book

Real-World Python is a gentle and practical introduction to programming for readers who want to move beyond memorizing syntax and start building real applications. Many beginners can follow tutorials and write small scripts, yet still feel unsure when facing a blank screen and an unsolved problem. This book is written for that moment — when you know the basics, but want to gain true confidence.

The journey begins with a careful foundation in Python. Concepts are introduced slowly, explained clearly, and connected directly to real program behavior. Instead of racing through features, we take time to understand how data flows through code, how logic is structured, and how programs are organized. No prior programming experience is assumed.

Next, the book opens the door to graphical user interfaces. You will learn how desktop applications work, how windows and widgets are composed, and how user actions drive program behavior. GUI programming is presented not as a mysterious skill, but as a natural extension of the Python knowledge you have already built.

Finally, everything comes together in a collection of complete real-world projects. Each application is first developed as a clean command-line program so that the logic remains transparent. Then it is transformed into a full graphical desktop tool using PySide6. Along the way, you will see how small scripts grow into structured applications, how code is organized into multiple files, and how real software is shaped step by step.

By the end of this book, you will not only know Python. You will know how to think like a programmer, design solutions, and build applications that solve real problems. One concept at a time. One program at a time. With clarity and confidence.

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Author

About the Author

Mira M.

Mira M. is a Python practitioner who has worked with the language since 2008.

Contents

Table of Contents

Preface

  1. PART I — Python Foundations

Chapter 1 — Welcome to Real-World Python

  1. 1.1 Who This Book Is For
  2. 1.2 How This Book Is Structured
  3. 1.3 What You Will Build

Chapter 2 — Installing Python and Tools

  1. 2.1 Installing Python
  2. 2.2 Choosing an Editor
  3. 2.3 Running Your First Program

Chapter 3 — Basic Syntax and Data Types

  1. 3.1 Variables and Assignment
  2. 3.2 Strings
  3. 3.3 Numbers
  4. 3.4 Lists and Tuples
  5. 3.5 Dictionaries and Sets

Chapter 4 — Control Flow

  1. 4.1 if Statements
  2. 4.2 Loops
  3. 4.3 Input and Output
  4. 4.4 Writing Interactive Programs

Chapter 5 — Functions

  1. 5.1 Defining Functions
  2. 5.2 Return Values
  3. 5.3 Parameters and Arguments
  4. 5.4 Organizing Code into Functions
  5. 5.5 Local Variables, Global Variables, and the global Keyword
  6. 5.6 The nonlocal Keyword
  7. 5.7 Lambda Functions

Chapter 6 — Modules and Packages

  1. 6.1 Importing Modules
  2. 6.2 Creating Your Own Modules
  3. 6.3 Packages
  4. 6.4 Project Structure Basics

Chapter 7 — Working with Files and Paths

  1. 7.1 Reading Text Files
  2. 7.2 Writing Files
  3. 7.3 — Using pathlib
  4. 7.4 Handling Errors

Chapter 8 — Classes and Object-Oriented Programming

  1. 8.1 Why Classes Exist
  2. 8.2 Defining a Class
  3. 8.3 Creating Objects
  4. 8.4 Instance Attributes
  5. 8.5 Methods and self
  6. 8.6 Initializers with __init__
  7. 8.7 Representing Objects with __str__
  8. 8.8 Class Attributes vs Instance Attributes
  9. 8.9 Encapsulation and Naming Conventions
  10. 8.10 Simple Composition (Objects Inside Objects)
  11. 8.11 Inheritance
  12. 8.12 Polymorphism
  13. 8.13 When to Use a Class in Real Programs

Chapter 9 — CLI Program Patterns

  1. 9.1 Menu-Based Programs
  2. 9.2 Input Validation
  3. 9.3 Program Flow Control
  4. 9.4 Designing Small CLI Apps
  5. PART II — GUI Foundations (PySide6)

Chapter 10 — Introduction to GUI Programming

  1. 10.1 What Is GUI Programming
  2. 10.2 Event-Driven Thinking
  3. 10.3 The GUI Event Loop

Chapter 11 — Getting Started with PySide6

  1. 11.1 What Is Qt and PySide6
  2. 11.2 Installing PySide6
  3. 11.3 Your First Window

Chapter 12 — Widgets and Layouts

  1. 12.1 Understanding Widgets
  2. 12.2 Common Widgets Overview
  3. 12.3 Layout Managers
  4. 12.4 Building Simple Forms

Chapter 13 — Signals and Slots

  1. 13.1 Why Events Matter
  2. 13.2 Connecting Signals
  3. 13.3 Handling User Actions

Chapter 14 — Structuring GUI Applications

  1. 14.1 The MainWindow Pattern
  2. 14.2 Separating UI and Logic
  3. 14.3 Dialogs and Message Boxes
  4. 14.4 File Dialogs
  5. PART III — Real-World Projects

Chapter 15 — Real-World CLI Projects

  1. 15.1 Task Manager
  2. 15.2 Password Strength Analyzer
  3. 15.3 File Organizer
  4. 15.4 Log File Analyzer
  5. 15.5 CSV Cleaner
  6. 15.6 Backup Tool
  7. 15.7 URL Monitor
  8. 15.8 Domain Checker
  9. 15.9 Expense Tracker

Chapter 16 — Real-World GUI Projects

  1. 16.1 Task Manager — GUI Version
  2. 16.2 Password Strength Analyzer — GUI Version
  3. 16.3 File Organizer — GUI Version
  4. 16.4 Log File Analyzer — GUI Version
  5. 16.5 CSV Cleaner — GUI Version
  6. 16.6 Backup Tool — GUI Version
  7. 16.7 URL Monitor — GUI Version
  8. 16.8 Domain Checker — GUI Version
  9. 16.9 Expense Tracker — GUI Version

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