books for beginners of ArcGIS 10 python script

[ElaineKuo]

Hello

I am a beginner of ArcGIS 10 and want to learn python scripting for it.
After surfing the Internet using the keyword of ArcGIS 10 and python,
few references were found.

Please kindly recommend any systematic references to learn python scripting for ArcGIS 10.

Thank you

[DanPatterson_Retired · Accepted solution]

The online help  http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html?TopicName=welcome is your best reference.  For python specific help, there are dozens of books, those published by O'Reilley are good references

[MarcinGasior]

Pennsylvania State University has a great and free online course 'GIS Programming and Automation' at:
https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog485/
There's a reasonable amount of theory and a lot of exercises with step by step explanations.

You can also try free Virtual Campus course at: http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm?fa=catalog.webCourseDetail&courseid=1868

From non-free solutions, take a look at 'A Python Primer for ArcGIS' book from ESRI Press.