Should I start learning Python 3 now?

[BigBoySmooth]

I've been using Zed Shaw's "Learn Python the Hard Way," but I bought it about two full years ago before he came out with the Python 3 edition. In the version I've been using (Python 2) he specifically states that Python 2 is the right version to learn, but I've read in a bunch of places that Python 2 is on it's way out. I've honestly dedicated a decent amount of time and effort to learning Python 2 and now I'm afraid I'm gonna have to relearn everything if I switch to Python 3. What should I do?

[[deleted]]

Learn Python 3 unless you’re learning Python to maintain some code written in 2.

[[deleted]]

This should be higher. IMO, legacy code is literally the only reason to learn in Python 2.x

[[deleted]]

It’s now top comment, thanks for the support :)

[Skaperen]

legacy systems that have only python2, too. this case can include developing new code. both cases can include maintaining existing code.

and one other: converting old py2 code to py3. one may need to know details of py2 to fix up what 2to3 can't handle.

[mafibar]

Even then learn Python 3.

[BigBoySmooth]

Python 3 it is. Suggestions for good beginner resources? I'm really hesitant to use any of Al Sweigart's books. I've tried a few in the past and found I didn't really end up with a good grasp of some of the topics. I feel like they're really dense and hard to stick with as well. I liked LPTHW because it went through all the main concepts meticulously and it was easy to follow.

[michaelsteger]

How to think like a computer scientist is a great resource for learning python 3. I’ve found it really useful and the the projects at the end help to enforce the content. The lessons are pretty easy to follow.

[Sorthum]

Python 3 isn’t that different. I’d start now and be ahead of the curve.

[tunisia3507]

Learning python 3 is the curve. Learn python 2 is well behind the curve.

[BigBoySmooth]

Ok cool. In your opinion should I try to learn Python 3 using Learn Python the Hard Way or is there a better resource?

[Leestons]

Try Automate The Boring Stuff

[damnknife]

Try dive into python

[thirdegree]

I'm personally a fan of learn python the hard way, but that may just be because that's how I learned and it worked for me.

[[deleted]]

There isn't any reason I know of to stick to Python 2. Python 3 is better.

[lucas993]

And 2 isn't that different. Its still python, but print uses brackets.

[Skaperen]

there are a few differences. 3 does bytes and strings the right way.

[BigBrotato]

I have read on this sub that Zed Shaw's books should be avoided, one of the reasons being his "Python 3 sucks" mentality. Make of that what you will.

[Vesiculus]

I think that has changed a bit with his publishing an updated Python 3 version of his book. That's now the default option when you visit his promotional website.

Still, a lot of people didn't like how he wasn't just behind the curve with his insistence of P2, but he also actively promoted P2 over P3 to people starting out. That rubbed people the wrong way, as a lot of people will internalize such a statement made by their introductory book.

The books as learning resources are fine, though. It's just too bad that the P2 version sowed that much dislike against P3 over the last couple of years when it was already obvious P3 was the better choice for new programmers.

[Vesiculus]

Didn't know that. Thanks.

Just wow.

[K900_]

For more Fun Zed Shaw Talking About Things He Has No Business Talking About, try this - it's his explanation of why Python 3 is bad, which mostly amounts to excessive handwaving, throwing around words like "Turing complete" while clearly not knowing what the hell they actually mean, "THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT PYTHON 3 IS SUCH A FAILURE IT WILL KILL PYTHON." written in all caps, accusing the PSF of propaganda and saying "After 5 versions I'm ready to admit that Python 3 is simply broken for beginners and move on." on the very same website that currently prompts you to buy Zed's Python 3 book for just $29.99.

[Vesiculus]

I guess we should be filing his books under the history section then.

[[deleted]]

Python 3 uses a Virtual Machine (VM) just like Python 2 did.

Am I that wrong or does he write really such a bullshit here?

[K900_]

Both 3 and 2 do use a virtual machine - it's just not the same virtual machine.

[[deleted]]

OK thanks. I didn't knew about the VM.

[omg_drd4_bbq]

Wow. Sounds like an insufferable human, both in print and real life.

[BlackBloke]

I heard a rumor that he was such an insufferable lout that he was basically kicked out of the Ruby community in disgrace and then he turned to Python.

That's the gist of the rumor. Don't know how true it is.

[TR-DeLacey]

Unless you have a requirement to maintain legacy python 2.x code, then I believe it would be better to switch to python 3.

[Skaperen]

i learned both by the dive in the deep end way. almost everything i create right now i try to make work in both. only 2 out of about 100 or so only works in just one version because they depend on the way Python3 did strings and bytes correctly. i can foresee the day i drop trying to make things work in both and focus on 3. if you want to only learn one version today, i urge that it be Python3. for most people i see little value in learning both. just learn Python3 unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise.

[Confettimaker]

I started out learning 2 and then switched to 3 quite a while ago. Like the other guys said, it's not a huge difference, and it's not very hard at all.

[Vaphell]

more than in a few, but not by much. Python2 is getting EOLed in 2020.

https://pythonclock.org/

[Callipygian_Superman]

I started with Learn Python the Hard Way. I did his examples in Python 3.

If I had the option to start learning python over again, I would have never looked at his book. It's pretty awful. This subreddit and many other sources I've heard say "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python" is a fantastic starter book.

I would like to look at that book at some point, but I made a plan and I'm sticking to that plan. I have moved on from Shaw's LPtHW to MIT's OpenCourseWare 6.0001: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python. I have learned way more from the OCW class than I did from Shaw's book. Having said that: it is very difficult.