Python Programming on WIN32

Amazon.com
Python Programming on Win32 zeroes in on the strengths of the Python programming language for the Windows platform. If you would like to use Python on Windows with Office 2000, this book is a perfect choice for getting started. While it's not an introduction to Python programming itself, the book does present some basic Python examples. (The authors do provide an impressive list of real-world projects that have used Python successfully, including an application at NASA and a major Web search engine.)

In lieu of a general language tour, this book centers on practical tips and examples for using Python on Windows, beginning with downloading and installing the free Python package. The most useful examples here present a Python library for general accounting objects. You'll learn how to write COM servers in Python and then how to script them in Visual Basic (used here to build user interfaces) and how to control Word and Excel with OLE Automation in Python. One standout example looks at building and printing accounting reports in Office 2000 using Python as the script language.

Later sections look at other possibilities, including how to use Python's support for MFC to build user interfaces. A notable section here looks at Windows NT system administration in Python. Because of its built-in support for dictionaries, Python is a natural fit for working with users, groups, permissions, and the like.

While Python's initial habitat may be Unix, Python Programming on Win32 shows that this powerful and increasingly popular object-oriented language may find its next home on Windows. Provided you have some previous exposure to the language, this book is an excellent resource for using Python in a Windows setting. --Richard Dragan

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Python is growing in popularity; based on download statistics, there are now over 450,000 people using Python, and more than 150,000 people using Python on Windows. Use of the language has been growing at about 40% per year since 1995, and there is every reason to believe that growth will continue.

Despite Python's increasing popularity on Windows, Python Programming on Win32 is the first book to demonstrate how to use it as a serious Windows development and administration tool. Unlike scripting on Unix, Windows scripting involves integrating a number of components, such as COM or the various mail and database APIs, with the Win32 programming interface. While experienced Windows C++ programmers can find their way through the various objects, most people need some guidance, and this book is it. It addresses all the basic technologies for common integration tasks on Windows, explaining both the Windows issues and the Python code you need to glue things together.

Topics include: The Python language and the PythonWin extensions Building a GUI with COM Adding a Macro language Distributing the application Client-side COM for output and data access Integration with mail and other internet protocols Manging users and drives Managing processes and services

This is a vital and unique book. Python Programming on Win32 is an excellent presentation of Windows application development and a solid illustration of how to use Python in the Windows environment.

SYNOPSIS

Python is growing in popularity; based on download statistics, there are now 90,000 people using Python, and more than 40,000 people using Python on Windows. Use of the language has been growing at about 40% per year since 1995, and there is every reason to believe that growth will continue.

Despite Python's increasing popularity on Windows, Python Programming on Win32 is the first book to demonstrate how to use it as a serious Windows development and administration tool. Unlike scripting on Unix, Windows scripting involves integrating a number of components, such as COM or the various mail and database APIs, with the Win32 programming interface. While experienced Windows C++ programmers can find their way through the various objects, most people need some guidance, and this book is it. It addresses all the basic technologies for common integration tasks on Windows, explaining both the Windows issues and the Python code you need to glue things together.

Topics include:

The Python language and the PythonWin extensions Building a GUI with COM Adding a Macro language Distributing tha application Client-side COM for output and data access Integration with mail and other internet protocols Manging users and drives Managing processes and services

This is a vital and unique book. Python Programming on Win32 is an excellent presentation of Windows application development, and Python is a powerful and easy-to-read language for illustration the concepts.

FROM THE CRITICS

Booknews

Demonstrates how to use the Python programming language (an object- oriented scripting language) as a development and administrations tool for Win32. Focused on tasks rather than programming (although a brief tutorial is provided) the authors cover how Python works on Windows; the key integration technologies supported by Python on Windows; and examples of what Python can do with databases, email, Internet protocols, NT services, communications, and other areas. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

AUTHOR DESCRIPTION

Mark Hammond is an independent Microsoft Windows consultant working out of Melbourne, Australia. Prior to starting a consulting operation in 1995, he worked with large Financial institutions in Australia after studying Computer Science at the South Australian Institute of Techology (now the University of South Australia).

Mark has produced many of the Windows extensions for Python, including Pythonwin, Active Scripting and Debugging support, and the COM framework and extensions (coauthor). He is also one of the world's foremost authorities on Active Sciripting and related technologies, being invited by Microsoft to speak on this subject at their 3 most recent Professional Developers conferences.

Apart from being a father to his 12-year-old daughter, having an interest in live music, and providing way too many free Python extensions, Mark has no life!

Andy Robinson is an independent consultant specializing in business analysis, object-oriented design, and Windows development. He studied physics and philosophy, and then Japanese studies, at Oxford. After several years in advertising and finance, he moved to full-time computer consulting three years ago.