
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 2nd Edition
Practical Programming for Total Beginners
Al Sweigart(Author)
No Starch Press
Published on 12. November 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
592 pages
978-1-59327-992-9 (ISBN)
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Description
In this second edition of Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, you'll learn the basics of programming in Python, the fastest growing programming language today, before moving on to create Python programs that effortlessly perform useful and impressive feats of automation. This updated edition is full of step-by-step instructions that walk through each programme. Practice projects at the end of each chapter challenge you to improve those programmes and use your newfound skills to automate similar tasks.
Reviews / Votes
"With lessons on how to use Python to program Excel spreadsheets, crawl websites, parse PDFs and Word documents, send emails, and other productivity-boosting task automation, it's a stellar resource for office workers, academics, and administrators."-Mashable
"I think many educational resources jump levels way too quickly. One of the best I ever used was Automate the Boring Stuff with Python - that book stayed at the right level the whole way!"
-Oscar Baruffa, @OscarBaruffa
Praise for the first edition of Automate the Boring Stuff with Python:
"The best part of programming is the triumph of seeing the machine do something useful. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python frames all of programming as these small triumphs; it makes the boring fun."
-Hilary Mason, Founder of Fast Forward Labs and Data Scientist in Residence at Accel
"Do you need Automate the Boring Stuff with Python? Yes, if you want to enhance your workflow by using automation, this is an excellent place to start. Highly recommended."
-Network World
"Valuable to have on your shelf...an extremely useful book."
-Kids, Code, and Computer Science Magazine
"Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is perfect for anyone who has menial tasks they don't want to spend hours doing."
-GeekMom
"Whether you prefer working through a book, or learning by watching, or both together, Automate the Boring Stuff will have you productive in Python in no time."
-Serdar Yegulalp, InfoWorld
"If you seriously want to know how much Python helps with automation, my favorite place is the Automate Boring Stuff with Python book, a simply awesome book."
-Javin Paul, Hacker Noon
"This is certainly a much more engaging way to learn Python . . . it gets you all excited by the prospect of making cool little programs that will save you time."
-Andrew Lau, AndrewLauActuary.com
"I've found both the book and Udemy course of Automate the Boring Stuff with Python by Al Sweigart to be really helpful."
-Mark S, @Awful_Curious
"Best Python book you can buy today."
-Rodrigo Ribeiro, @mcapablanca
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
San Francisco
United States
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 177 mm
Weight
914 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59327-992-9 (9781593279929)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Book
05/2025
3rd Edition
No Starch Press
€56.00
Available immediately
Person
Al Sweigart is a professional software developer who teaches programming to kids and adults. Sweigart has written several bestselling programming books for beginners, including Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python, Cracking Codes with Python, and Coding with Minecraft (all from No Starch Press).
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Python Programming Basics
Chapter 1: Python Basics
Chapter 2: Flow Control
Chapter 3: Functions
Chapter 4: Lists
Chapter 5: Dictionaries and Structuring Data
Chapter 6: Manipulating Strings
Part II: Automating Tasks
Chapter 7: Pattern Matching with Regular Expressions
Chapter 8: Input Validation
Chapter 9: Reading and Writing Files
Chapter 10: Organizing Files
Chapter 11: Debugging
Chapter 12: Web Scraping
Chapter 13: Working with Excel Spreadsheets
Chapter 14: Working with Google Sheets
Chapter 15: Working with PDF and Word Documents
Chapter 16: Working with CSV Files and JSON Data
Chapter 17: Keeping Time, Scheduling Tasks, and Launching Programs
Chapter 18: Sending Email and Text Messages
Chapter 19: Manipulating Images
Chapter 20: Controlling the Keyboard and Mouse with GUI Automation
Appendix A: Installing Third-Party Modules
Appendix B: Running Programs
Appendix C: Answers to the Practice Questions
Introduction
Part I: Python Programming Basics
Chapter 1: Python Basics
Chapter 2: Flow Control
Chapter 3: Functions
Chapter 4: Lists
Chapter 5: Dictionaries and Structuring Data
Chapter 6: Manipulating Strings
Part II: Automating Tasks
Chapter 7: Pattern Matching with Regular Expressions
Chapter 8: Input Validation
Chapter 9: Reading and Writing Files
Chapter 10: Organizing Files
Chapter 11: Debugging
Chapter 12: Web Scraping
Chapter 13: Working with Excel Spreadsheets
Chapter 14: Working with Google Sheets
Chapter 15: Working with PDF and Word Documents
Chapter 16: Working with CSV Files and JSON Data
Chapter 17: Keeping Time, Scheduling Tasks, and Launching Programs
Chapter 18: Sending Email and Text Messages
Chapter 19: Manipulating Images
Chapter 20: Controlling the Keyboard and Mouse with GUI Automation
Appendix A: Installing Third-Party Modules
Appendix B: Running Programs
Appendix C: Answers to the Practice Questions