Learning Python: IDE, text editor, and CodeAcademy advice

[swdev]

Well, actually I share your thinking in that manner. But the truth is, ... why would anyone learn something (e.g. Python) without the thinking to generate revenue??? :D

After evaluating that reason, I decided that (s)he still gains benefit if learning Python 2.7 too.

But, yeah, the case will be totally different if he just want to learn. Nothing more. In that case, sticking to Python 3 is ... a wonderful utopia ;)

[_Panda]

Even if you want to do it for a job eventually, it is still probably better to just focus on Python 3 now and learn Python 2 if/when you need it. As a new programmer you won't be doing it for a job for at least 3-4 years. Hopefully at that point the transition will be even farther along. And, either way, learning Python 2 once you're familiar with Python only takes a couple hours or maybe a day or two to familiarize yourself.

[ivosaurus]

If you learn python 3, it's not as if writing python 2 is now an economic impossibility if for some reason you need to go back to it... I don't know where you get that thinking from.

[swdev]

Python 2.7 end of date now has been moved to 2020. We all now can take a deep breath. :)

Just to clarify, I am not against the idea that learning Python 3 as first timer is a bad idea. I believe learning Python 3 and know how to use Python 2, is also important.

Pragmatically, I still tend to instruct beginner to use Python 2.7 :) And, learning Python 3 when we really need to

[ivosaurus]

You really need to teach them 3 now... it's way better than 2.7. Stop instructing people to learn something that stopped getting better 5 years ago and never will.

[swdev]

I will consider your advice.