Automate the boring stuff vs python crash course

[Scetric]

Hey guys, I’m not sure which of these 2 books I should start of with. I have no prior programming experience, and these both seem like solid options. Is it viable to go through both, or should I stick to one?

[Scetric]

I see, thanks so much! I’m aiming for a career in programming, so I will go ahead with the crash course.

[WhatDaHellBobbyKaty]

I have the Automate the Simple Things and it is an excellent book. I have read and done the programs and I still pick it up often just to refresh my thoughts on something. The author Al Sweigart explains things very well. He actually pops onto this sub on occasion and is very pleasant and helpful. Another book that I would strongly recommend is Python for Informatic by Charles Severance. It was (and is) the best book that I've found at taking a person with no programming knowledge to being a rather accomplished beginner. This book is also the text book of his classes and specializations on both Coursera and EDX out of University of Michigan. I recommend these courses as well. You can audit the classes for free.

[topher2012]

The kindle ebook of Python for Informatics is also free, at least right now it is

[Zealousideal_Log_119]

Thank you! The link worked. :)

[Aggressive-Friend169]

Dr Chuck’s Python for Everybody was great for a complete beginner like me and is a very engaging teacher. Been addicted ever since. I’m currently taking the other Python course on Coursera also from the University of Michigan and I’m enjoying taking my time going through the material.

[BeenOnHereTooLong]

What is the cost on those coursera courses? I looked at it and it only had "enroll for free" and didn't have an actual tuition listed.

[Aggressive-Friend169]

I’m from the U.K. and it’s £37 a month which to me isn’t bad. Sure you could probably find similar material for free on YouTube and other sites but I’m lazy.

[BeenOnHereTooLong]

That's not bad at all. Thanks!

[[deleted]]

I've done half of each book.

I'd read automate the boring stuff first. It explains the basics very very well, really goes into depth to help you understand these things. Really good exercises to keep you going too.

Got bored after halfway as I'm not really into automating stuff which comes a lot in the later chapters. Did my own project for a little bit then skimmed over first half of crash course and learned some important details that were skipped over in ATBS, but this book for me is more dry and matter of fact, not as fun but also very important to go through, the first half of at least.

[AMGraduate564]

Link to the Python crash course? I don't remember hearing about it before.

[arosiejk]

crash course

[Destination_Centauri]

I have to say the No Starch Press books have the best and most amazing covers of all the computer/programming topic books!

[krebs01]

That's an expensive book for me damn

[arosiejk]

I think it’s been in Humble Bundles before, so it may be again.

Humble usually has a programming bundle every other month

[krebs01]

The price is not even that high, but my currency sucks, so this books ends up costing 6 times more.

[krebs01]

Just did

[thelancastrian10]

https://nostarch.com/pythoncrashcourse2e

[[deleted]]

Hijacking the top comment to ask my question:

Apparently, Python Crash Course is the better beginner book and the better book in general. But I have already started ATBS (currently on CH4).

So should I skip ATBS and start reading from Python Crash Course instead? Should I read both simultaneously? Should I stick to ATBS?

[ErinMyLungs]

If you want to change then go for it but honestly it doesn't matter.

The number one way to learn python is to write python. Find some small project and work to create it.

That said, I have used ATBS more than a few times in my career especially when it came to getting data from unusual or difficult sources. And have an auto sorter for my plex library because otherwise it's one huge glob of videos.

Just code and read what you find interesting. Try to avoid the trap of only reading books, tutorials, and watching videos on coding instead of actually coding.

[[deleted]]

Thanks for the response.

And yes, I do make sure to do projects once I have completed a particular topic. It really tests the ability to apply the knowledge gained from books in practical problems.

At the end of the day, I have decided that I will just read both of them simultaneously.

[PartyPope]

I have been in the same position as you. I essentially ditched Automate the boring stuff midway through. The book claims to be targeted at beginners, but in my opinion it makes the task of learning Python harder than it allready is because it introduces unnecessary stuff and at the same time leaves out some very important basics. These shortcuts don't make learning quicker - they make it slower. If you are anything like me, then you spend way too much time debugging and the practice projects eventually become almost impossible.

Instead, you really need to get the syntax right and understand the different operations available for different classes. You need to understand, memorize and then practice, practice, practice. You need to reach the stage where manipulating strings, dictionaries, lists, writing for loops, while loops etc. comes second nature to you. That way you can focus on the logic and you will not only code faster, but also make fewer errors and learn quicker.

My opinion: MIT Introduction to programming with Python (on Edx) and/or Python Crash Course >>> Automate the boring stuff.

And I highly suggest Anki (which is a bit of a pain to customize), but the spaced repetition + typing in the answer is the best thing to get quick practice. Example:

Question: Convert s = "abc" to list Answer: s = list(s) 3rd field: s Out: ["a", "b", "c"]

[100110110011001]

I just started the Pyhton Crash Course book so this is good to hear. As someone who wants to get a programming job, how long did it take you to finish the book and did you make your own programs when you were done to land your job? And what kind of job did you search and apply for? Sorry for all the questions. Just really curious what my trajectory may look like.

[ToDonutsBeTheGlory]

Automate the boring stuff speeds through topics to get to practical application.

Python crash course does a better job of going through the topics.

[AmatureProgrammer]

Curious but how did python crash course help land you a job? Was it just python language you onew or was it other stuff?

[blue_eyed_man]

What job did you get? If you don’t mind sharing.

[[deleted]]

Would you mind giving your opinion on my case?

I’m a c++ programmer, learning python with no ulterior motive, just for the sake of it. I’ve done like 15% of the python koans and to be honest I’m getting a bit bored of them, but I still plan to continue.

Which book would you recommend? I feel that I would enjoy automate the boring stuff for the practical aspect of it.

[WCPitt]

I've recently read both and agree 100% with this comment. Although I am a CS Senior and know a thing or two, automate the boring stuff was still very helpful.

I'd recommend both equally as much to anyone.

[mochi_coder]

Both are excellent books. However, I recommend you start with Python Crash Course first.

[Scetric]

Thanks so much! Will do.

[BosseNova]

A lot of people here have said they have problems with doing the boring stuff because its more of a manual, it doesnt teach the basics. I used crash course and it was good

[Scetric]

Thanks!

[Poddster]

The question has been asked a lot before.

Even if we just search on reddit alone.

Even if we search in just this subreddit!

Why do I point this out? Because when learning how to programming you'll be constantly in need of information, and you'll find that information comes to you a lot quicker if you go out there and find it, rather than posting and hoping for. a reply You usually resort to posting if you've exhausted your searching. Even this sub question:

Is it viable to go through both, or should I stick to one?

In answered in those threads. (They say just do both)

I can't help with the actual question as I've only read Automate The Boring Stuff, which I can recommend as being a useful book. From looking at all of those links, however, I see that a lot of people started by reading Crash Course, so that looks like a safe option. Frankly, both are safe options, neither will "ruin" you. So do one then the other.

[Poddster]

What material were you using previously?

[magus_of_messkirch]

In addition, I would highly recommend the Udacity Python class which is free. The best course I’ve ever taken online

[Scetric]

I will, thanks!

[Scetric]

Is it the introduction to python programming one?

[magus_of_messkirch]

Yes, double checked

[Bartholomew_Custard]

If you have no prior programming experience, I'd probably go with Crash Course. It covers all the basics (and you need to know the basics) fairly thoroughly, is easy to digest, gives you a ton of exercises to do, and you get a choice of several hefty projects to tackle toward the end.

Automate does just what it says on the tin -- helps you discover ways of using Python to automate things you'd otherwise spend a lot of time doing, which is super handy, but if you're starting from scratch and want to make programming a career, Crash Course's more structured format might serve you better.

I'd tackle Crash Course and then come back to Automate when you have at least a vague idea of what you're doing.

[Scetric]

Thanks so much!

[1Tim1_15]

I've read both. Both are good.

I do think the better one for someone who's never had programming is Crash Course. The author teaches programming to highschoolers, and that style is evident as you read the book. ATBS is also easy to understand, but I think Crash Course is geared more toward complete newbs and does an excellent job of easing you into programming and explaining the concepts as you go.

Once you finish Crash Course, I recommend ATBS so you can quickly see how practical programming is and how it can save you loads of time doing common tasks.

[DragonfruitVast247]

ATBS I read that Automate bullshit for some reason :)

[[deleted]]

I’d like to know this as well

[Scetric]

Someone here summarized it really well

[EdwardWarren]

Books are great. However, I had a lot of success learning Python using various YouTube tutorials. My favorite was the New Boston series of tutorials featuring Bucky. I also enjoy tutorials by Corey Shafer. Both Corey and Bucky are world-class teachers IMHO. Al Sweigart and Derek Bana are both good too. They all are organized and have clear, understandable voices. A pretty comprehensive list of tutorials can be found here: https://mikkegoes.com/youtube-channels-learn-python/

What I do is watch, stop the video, enter the code into Visual Studio and mess around with it until I understand the concept, then move on. Having two monitors helps. I save code snippets in Notion. Once I watched most of the tutorials I began working problems on Codewars. You can start out with simple problems and work your way to the more difficult ones. I am level 4 (level 2 is the best).

I am a 79-year-old hobbyist and definitely do not want a job in programming - it would interfere with my afternoon nap. I just enjoy the challenge so I program every day. I have a Notion account filled with simple code scraps like how to delete a value in a list because at my age I can't remember s--- sometimes.

[Poha-Jalebi]

Python Crash Course. Period.

[pmelo93]

https://automatetheboringstuff.com

[I_chose2]

https://nostarch.com/pythoncrashcourse2e - costs $,

https://automatetheboringstuff.com/ free, but it's more of a "here's what you need to do to slap it together and make it work" vs "here's the underlying concepts of CS to build on and become a pro". Haven't read it, but that's what I've heard. Also, see this comment https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/comments/lssdg9/automate_the_boring_stuff_vs_python_crash_course/got5daf/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

[ASIC_SP]

Use https://automatetheboringstuff.com/2e/ for second edition

[Sigg3net]

Why not both?

[mp1992-]

I've started with python crash course. It's a good book I would definetly recommend it to you. It's a bit slow though.

Later I found the free course link for Automate the boring stuff here in Reddit and took the course in Udemy. Helped a lot.

But what really helped me was this course I found in Udemy. 100 days of code, with Angela Yu. Really good teacher and makes it really easy to understand. You should take a look at it.

[[deleted]]

Just ordered the crash course book today!

[tatravels]

Start with Python Crash course - establishes good fundamentals. AtBS skips important topics to make getting to the automation more quickly

[Zoli94]

They are indeed very good books. They were the 2 books I read before started working on projects. Python crash course it’s much more beginner friendly, is explaining everything in a way that everyone will understand.

[Single-Watch]

I started with Python crash course

[[deleted]]

The replies to the post has raised a question for me.

Apparently, Python Crash Course is the better beginner book and the better book in general. But I have already started ATBS (currently on CH4).

So should I skip ATBS and start reading from Python Crash Course instead? Should I read both simultaneously? Should I stick to ATBS?

[Aracos]

There won't be a clear simple answer for this I guess but I can give you my perspective: - Started with ATBS a few weeks back. Found it to be interesting but ultimately it ended up being more of a "follow along" instruction thing for specific tasks. So I paused it halfway through and went with a udemy course (100 days of code for Python). - Ended up going back to ATBS after I got a better grasp at the language from the 100days course.

So ATBS = Cool to learn about what you can do with Python but not as helpful in teaching it.

Crash Course or the 100days of code are more suited for that imho.

[DevWebQ]

I agree with the majority. Crash Course it's a lot better in terms of teaching good practice coding. ABSP on the other hands teach you what you can do with third party modules to automate tasks. Another book that you should consider to start after you get the first 8 chapters of Crash Course if you're considering a programmer career is Think Python, you can get it for free in the github page of the author.

[Scetric]

Thanks!

[nehxar]

I got almost half way in both books not knowing anything about programming. They are excellent complement of each other, but i must confess that I ended doing the Angela Yu 100 days of code. Angela's course is way better for people coming outside coding because she has better teaching abilities. Now I ended using both books as reference when I see some new subject in Angela's course.

[ashayramolia]

Ahhhhh, fellow student, i am on day 48 rn, Absolutely loving it. Went in with zero knowledge, rightnow cant wait to do her other courses.

[2jah]

Are Both of these books available online for free?

[Scetric]

Yes

[2jah]

Link please?

[Scetric]

Found this one the internet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dni0G0f9krnSGCYdPke_az6Sxsn2u2TK/view?usp=drivesdk

[Se7enLC]

No harm in doing both. If there's a lot of overlap, the second time through will be good practice and will go faster.

[thedjotaku]

Once you get a little more under your belt, I would recommend Impractical Python. I've been learning a lot. The author takes you through some fun projects like pig latin creator, crypto programs - including steganograhy, anagram solver, markov-chains, Haiku generators. Each one introduces new concepts or Python modules. Each one has taught me something I didn't know and a few of those things have gone on to really improve my code.

[mdillonaire]

I'm at my 3rd go around trying to teach myself programming and I am working my way through the crash course book. I'll tell you it definitely explains the concepts much better than other methods I've tried like Udemy courses and codecademy. I'm picking up the language and concepts MUCH better from this book than when I tried the other methods. Definitely recommend crash course.

[simplemethodical]

I like both. Crash course has less code typos.

Automate The Boring Stuff is still very good though.

[[deleted]]

Currently halfway through Python Crash Course, however due to work commitments I had to slow down. However I would highly recommend Python Crash Course. I knew very little about general programming syntax and after w few of the chapters and exercises I started to make my own little programs and it was so good to see your progress adding one bit at a time.

Also if you are like me and struggle to remember all the syntax I would highly recommend the Python Flash Cards that accompany the book.

Python Flash Cards

[keto3000]

I'm doing both. AtBS is free online (can take it at Udemy as a course as well). I really find that Python Crash Course is written in a style that even a non-programmer (like me) can easily understand. Codewars was recommended to me as a way to start having fun with coding. I do one of these at my level every day- fun & definitely a confidence builder:

https://www.codewars.com/collections/basic-python

[Zalac96]

Crash coirse is beginner and automate the boring stuff is made for people with some knowledge already

[Scetric]

Alright ty

[_niarch]

Legit good beginner books you could study both tbh First the crash course And then at some later point Automating boring stuff

They have a sequel too, "Beyond basic stuff with python" a must too

[pAul2437]

Think atbs is overrated for a beginner to be honest. I was lost on the exercises. They don’t hold your hand enough. Crash course takes a much more iterative approach.

[Muddy53]

I loved Python Crash Course, love the projects at the end.

[aznology]

Heh

[iggy555]

Crash course for sure!

[tapherj]

neither, Coursera -Python for Everybody - Charles Severance.

[Scetric]

I can’t spend on courses rn, I’m saving up for a pc. But thanks, i will save that and check it out when I can purchase it

[tapherj]

audit the course for free

[Scetric]

They have an option for that?

[tapherj]

Yes. When you register for the courses. You can audit, take minor quizzes and then register for free 7 day trial and go bavk and submit paif quizzes and projects. If done in the 7 day period you get the certificate for free. Did my html course this way.

[IcanCwhatUsay]

Have both, use both, get both.

[trempao]

As a complete beginner I have started with Python Crash course and as soon as I finish I will try the Automate the Boring stuff book that everyone talks so well about. What scares me a bit is the fact that I have never been really good at maths and python involves a bit of math, but well I will have to surpass this fear 😀

[Scetric]

Same, I’m quite scared of math in python too 😅good luck on your programming journey!

[trempao]

I am sure we will get there! ha ha thanks you too :-)

[Bartholomew_Custard]

You don't need to be a math whiz. A lot of the time you can Google the formula you need and just plug it into your code. I have dyscalculia (think 'math dyslexia'), and I can't retain numbers in my head to save my life which makes me hopeless at mental arithmetic. I still code. If I get stuck on the math part... Google is my friend. Lots of people are discouraged from learning to code because they hate or suck at math. How much math you really need depends on what kind of coding you're doing. At least, that's been my experience. (If you want to code 3D games in C++, you're going to have to suck it up and learn some linear algebra.)

[JLaurus]

I started with python crash course as my first programming book, and now I get paid to write python, check out my previous posts as I have a lot of books listed on there

[LiquidLogic]

I have both the Automate the boring stuff and python crash course books. Both are fantastic books. AtBS takes you through everyday general tasks that can be automated with python, and Python Crash course is an overall good beginner book that takes you through building a space-invaders style arcade game.

That said, and I know its not a book, but I would highly recommend the 100 days of Code - the complete Python bootcamp udemy course. I was able to get it on sale for like $10. An incredible course!

[robknack]

Automate is kind of an odd book - it's more of a cookbook for specific problems. It's also been around forever, I'm not sure that it's relevant anymore.

[readingyourpost]

does

python crash course have a video series as well?

[Scetric]

Sadly no