CS50’s Python course introduces programming with Python, covering code reading and writing, testing, debugging, and core concepts.
Automate The Boring Stuff
Read Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, a free-to-read book by Al Sweigart about practical Python programming.
About Automate The Boring Stuff
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is a book by Al Sweigart that teaches Python for automating computer tasks. The third edition covers Python fundamentals, including data structures and regular expressions, then applies them to web scraping, organizing files, working with spreadsheets, PDFs and Word documents, and sending email or text notifications. No prior programming experience is required.
The website provides the book text to read online under a Creative Commons license and describes a companion workbook with chapter-by-chapter exercises and miniprojects. Print and ebook editions are listed through the publisher and other retailers.
Key features
- Free-to-read full text of third edition book online
- Teaches Python fundamentals with examples and practice questions
- Automate web searching, downloading content, and form filling
- Organize files by copying, moving, renaming, or compressing
- Process Excel, Google Sheets, CSV, PDF, and Word files
- Send email and text notifications and schedule tasks
Best for: Beginners with no prior programming experience who want to use Python to automate routine computer tasks.
Good for
- Free to read online under a Creative Commons license
- Starts with Python basics and requires no prior programming experience
- Companion workbook provides chapter-by-chapter exercises and miniprojects
Automate The Boring Stuff at a glance
- Website
- automatetheboringstuff.com
- Category
- Education & Learning › Learn to Code
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Automate The Boring Stuff alternatives
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This free beginner guide introduces programming with the Python 3 language.
Learn Python with Thonny, a beginner-focused IDE that includes official installers and programming tools.
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Automate The Boring Stuff FAQ
Is the book free to read?
Yes, the text is free to read online under a Creative Commons license.
Do I need prior programming experience?
No, the third edition states that no prior programming experience is required.
Is there a companion workbook?
Yes, a workbook follows the third edition chapter by chapter with exercises, projects, and miniprojects.
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