The Well-Grounded Python Developer: How the pros use Python and Flask

If you’re new to Python, it can be tough to understand when, where, and how to use all its language features. This friendly guide shows you how the Python ecosystem fits together, and grounds you in the skills you need to continue your journey to being a software developer.

Inside The Well-Grounded Python Developer you will discover:

Building modules of functionality
Creating a well-constructed web server application
Integrating database access into your Python applications
Refactor and decoupling systems to help scale them
How to think about the big picture of your application



The Well-Grounded Python Developer builds on Python skills you’ve learned in isolation and shows you how to unify them into a meaningful whole. It helps you understand the dizzying array of libraries and teaches important concepts, like modular construction, APIs, and the design of a basic web server. As you work through this practical guide, you’ll discover how all the bits of Python link up as you build and modify a typical web server application—the kind of web app that’s in high demand by modern businesses.

Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications.

About the technology

As a new programmer, you’re happy just to see your code run. A professional developer, on the other hand, needs to create software that runs reliably. It must be fast, maintainable, scalable, secure, well designed and documented, easy for others to update, and quick to ship. This book teaches you the skills you need to go from Python programmer to Python developer.

About the book

The Well-Grounded Python Developer shows you why Python, the world’s most popular programming language, is a fantastic tool for professional development. It guides you through the most important skills, like how to name variables, functions, and classes, how to identify and write a good API, and how to use objects. You’ll also learn how to deal with inevitable failures, how to make software that connects to the internet, core security practices, and many other professional-grade techniques.

What's inside

Create a web application
Connect to a database
Design programs to handle big tasks


About the reader

For experienced beginners who want to learn professional-level skills.

About the author

Doug Farrell has been a professional developer since 1983, and has worked with Python for over 20 years.

Table of Contents

1 Becoming a Pythonista
PART 1 - GROUNDWORK
2 That’s a good name
3 The API: Let’s talk
4 The object of conversation
5 Exceptional events
PART 2 - FIELDWORK
6 Sharing with the internet
7 Doing it with style
8 Do I know you? Authentication
9 What can you do? Authorization
10 Persistence is good: Databases
11 I’ve got something to say
12 Are we there yet?