Python learning resources

JHeaton · 2010-11-12 22:24:19

Figured I'd have a play with this one, too. Can anyone point me in the direction of some good resources for learning Python? I've never tried the language before but I'm interested in seeing what I can do with it and whether or not I'd get on well with it or not. Beginners' guides and tutorials that are easy to follow but also cover things in enough detail are the kind of thing I'm looking for. For those who have used the resources, could you let me know how you found them and what you liked and disliked about them?

Thanks.

Foucault · 2010-11-12 23:49:11

I am no python expert, but I believe the official python tutorial and Dive into Python (for python 2 or python 3) are obligatory reading (in that order). However, as in all programming tutorials, they are a bit tiresome to follow. So my suggestion, after understanding the basics, is to try to actually code something you find interesting. Try to solve problems as they appear or try to improve previous code using newer knowledge.

JHeaton · 2010-11-13 00:06:30

Foucault wrote:

I am no python expert, but I believe the official python tutorial and Dive into Python (for python 2 or python 3) are obligatory reading (in that order). However, as in all programming tutorials, they are a bit tiresome to follow. So my suggestion, after understanding the basics, is to try to actually code something you find interesting. Try to solve problems as they appear or try to improve previous code using newer knowledge.

Thanks for this, I will start looking in to it tomorrow.

I definitely think you're right on just trying to code stuff I'm interested in once I have the basics pinned down; oddly, I've never got very far with languages I've tried to learn but at work I have to use VBScript to do various things and by having tasks set for me, I've expanded my knowledge of the language far beyond the point that I would like to. My only problem is finding things I need to do at home that involve the languages I'm fiddling with.

Sound advice, thank you.

markbabc · 2010-11-13 00:15:49

http://www.python-forum.org is a great place to ask questions, also solving other people's problems helps alot

Cyrusm · 2010-11-13 02:10:51

best way to learn is to dive right in
The Python Challenge

ChoK · 2010-11-13 02:40:09

You can also try your hand at http://projecteuler.net/

ewaller · 2010-11-13 03:16:57

It sounds as if you are a, er..., less than seasoned programmer. That might be a good thing. I came from strongly typed languages (C, C++, Pascal, and some Java). In these languages, variables have to be defined as to what they represent. These languages are also largely imperative. In general, that means you specify the specific steps that are to be performed on each datum. Kind of like micro-management of the data.

Part of the beauty of Python is that it allows you to think of the data and its structure. Ever since MBAs discovered it, I hate the word 'Paradigm'. Never-the-less, I experienced a sudden paradigm shift when I realized how one could describe complex data as Lists, dictionaries, tuples, and combinations thereof -- and then use functional concepts such as list comprehensions, maps and filters to operate on those data as sets.

I would suggest as you start on Python, try to develop an understanding of the difference between strong and weak types, and between imperative and functional programming. My first couple attempts at Python failed because I was trying to use only imperative programming and a collection of disjoint simple variables that I failed to group together in a logical way. Once I got past that, and started looking at how to organize the data, and operate on it at a higher level, I began to appreciate Python. It also (even though I have not learned them) gave me an appreciation for Ruby and Lisp.

Good luck

xl666 · 2010-11-13 04:42:20

Well, obviously the best way to learn a language is programming in it. For learning a language deeply I prefer to read books. A book that I find really good for learning the core of python is "Learning Python" http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596158071

Last edited by xl666 (2010-11-13 04:42:35)

JHeaton · 2010-11-13 10:13:15

ewaller wrote:

It sounds as if you are a, er..., less than seasoned programmer. That might be a good thing. I came from strongly typed languages (C, C++, Pascal, and some Java). In these languages, variables have to be defined as to what they represent. These languages are also largely imperative. In general, that means you specify the specific steps that are to be performed on each datum. Kind of like micro-management of the data.

I wouldn't necessarily say I'm a beginner, but yeah, I'm no expert. I have experience with other languages (Pascal, Perl, a bit of C and a bit of Java) but I've never been able to progress very far because of a lack of things to do with them. I want to build applications, but I can never figure out what to build.

Thank you for the advice, though, it seems very helpful. I'll give that a try.

xl666 wrote:

Well, obviously the best way to learn a language is programming in it. For learning a language deeply I prefer to read books. A book that I find really good for learning the core of python is "Learning Python" http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596158071

Funnily enough, I've just borrowed this book from someone. Will see how it goes, it seems interesting.

Thank you for all the replies so far, very helpful. Hopefully I'll get in some decent learning before my courses start next year and I lose all my free time.

Eratosthenes · 2010-11-13 18:22:17

http://greenteapress.com/thinkpython/thinkpython.html

Think python might be a bit beginnerish, but is well done. It is a free download, incl as a PDF, if that is what you prefer.

DeletedUser201201 · 2010-11-13 22:15:06

I think that before anything else you should take a look here. If you are a new programmer you should follow it through all the way, thinking of it as a beginner's manual. If not, just pass it on quickly on a week or two. Oh did I mention its a free pdf.

JHeaton · 2010-11-14 19:21:03

Both of those PDFs seem very good. I've gone through a bit of Learn Python the Hard Way and it seems good so far, although whether or not it will prove to be suitable later on I don't know. Very easy so far and I'm pretty much just revising concepts I know already. What I think I'm going to do is do as Foucault said. I'll rewrite all of my scripts at work using Python, that way I definitely have something to do with the language to help me learn and practice.

thdn · 2010-12-29 16:34:38

Try :
http://code.google.com/edu/languages/go … index.html

Mr Green · 2010-12-29 17:42:15

This is a nice book

Last edited by Mr Green (2010-12-29 17:43:21)

deHaan · 2011-01-26 09:20:46

I found the guide by Alan Gauld to be the most easiest one. He has a version for Python2 and Python3. Just ignore the stuff about VB and Javascript (unless you want to grab those along the way aswell.)

edit: with link: http://www.alan-g.me.uk/

Last edited by deHaan (2011-01-26 09:21:12)

sitquietly · 2011-01-26 20:40:56

JHeaton wrote:

Can anyone point me in the direction of some good resources for learning Python? ... Beginners' guides and tutorials that are easy to follow but also cover things in enough detail are the kind of thing I'm looking for.

MIT Opencourseware 6.00--Introduction to Computer Science and Programming teaches basics of Python programming. It is not a comprehensive resource for you but it may be a pleasant experience to sit back and watch the video lectures to "absorb" some Python language.

6.01 Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science I uses Python and the course text is available as pdf chapters (including Chapter 2: Programming in Python). This course may be interesting because it shows Python in an engineering context.

Arch Linux

#1 2010-11-12 22:24:19

Python learning resources

#2 2010-11-12 23:49:11

Re: Python learning resources

#3 2010-11-13 00:06:30

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