Professional IronPython

hoW thIs book Is structured
This book is structured to discuss IronPython in a progressively complex manner. It doesn’t leave you 
wondering where the basics are — the first few chapters provide a whirlwind tour of the IronPython 
implementation of the Python language. However, by the end of the book you’ve discovered some very 
advanced information indeed. For example, you’ll create an IronPython extension that directly accesses 
the Win32 API. With this in mind, the following list provides you an overview of the book structure so 
you can find what you want quickly.
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Part I: Introducing IronPython: This part of the book begins with an introduction to IronPython. 
You begin by obtaining and installing the software, using the IronPython console, and then cre-
ating your first application. The discussion continues by examining the modules that come with 
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xix
IntroductIon
IronPython and working with some basics such as the standard input, output, and error devices. 
You also begin creating IronPython functions and performing other simple tasks.
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Part II: Using the IronPython Language: This part of the book provides a fast-paced tour of the 
IronPython language. You begin with simple statements, work through loops, examine arrays 
and collections, and then move on to structures and object. By the time you complete this part 
of the book, a professional developer will have enough information to write intermediate-level 
IronPython code.
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Part III: Working with IronPython: This part of the book begins the process of performing 
some real work with IronPython. It begins by examining both the Standard Library and the 
.NET Framework. You discover that it isn’t always possible to directly access everything you 
want, but you can access most items with relative ease. The chapters in this part of the book 
provide lots of tips and techniques for overcoming difficulties with IronPython. The discussion 
continues with chapters that examine specific application types: Windows Forms, COM inter-
actions, command line applications used for administrative tasks, and ASP.NET applications. 
This part of the book ends with a complete discussion of debugging techniques — an essential