Ask HN: What's the best desk reference book for Python and other languages?

[idlefeature]

As a software engineer and voracious reader (ahem, or at least buyer) of books, I'm trying to follow Gergely Orosz's advice in [The Software Engineer's Guidebook](https://www.engguidebook.com/) to get a good reference book for the main languages I work in.

For Java (90% of my daily work), I just ordered [Java: The Complete Reference, 13th Edition](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/java-the-complete/9781265062705/). For JavaScript (5%), I've got [JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, 7th Edition](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/javascript-the-definitive/9781491952016/), and it's proven helpful in the past.

I'd like to purchase a similar reference work for Python (5% and growing), but I'm having a hard time choosing between Fluent Python, Python in a Nutshell, Introduction to Python, or something else! Any recommendations?

(Also interested in good reference book recommendations for other languages!)

[stefanos82]

`Fluent Python, second edition`, hands down!

I'm actually re-reading it for a second time now, because I constantly discover so many gems in it and I learn so many new things on every paragraph!

I have never read any book like that before, honestly.

[jamesliudotcc]

Fluent Python is superb.

Definitely not the Intros for a desk reference.

[gjvc]

Python the essential reference by David Beazley

[idlefeature]

Has this one been replaced by "Python Distilled" by Beazley? Just curious.

[gjvc]

yes! most likely thank you i have been meaning to get that.