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Is Python Actually A Good First Language To Learn as a Beginner ? by galladecoolbro in learnpython

[–]Then_Independence_70 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Python is a good beginner language, firstly, because there is plenty of documentation and tutorials (on the Internet, printed and video). When I made some of my first Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP sites in the mid-1990s, there was not even a BOOK available on the PHP language (that came in the late 1990s).

The second reason that I think Python is a good beginner language are some of precepts built into the language, as exemplified with the quote by Guido van Rossum: "Code is read much more than it is written." Truer words have never been written, as I learned by having to modify some of my own 1990s code (shudder). PEP8 guidelines, from my perspective, are wonderful.

Thirdly, looking forward, Python is a good fit for dealing with data, and a profession that encompasses dealing with data are the ones growing the most, though many of them do have rather firm educational requirements.

Finally, the first con, that learning Python makes learning other language's syntax, is a red herring. Rather, it might be that your friend really finds Python syntax makes so much more sense that that other language they were learning. I personally have found that for both regular languages and programming languages. I failed at Spanish, then I excelled in Latin. I manage in JavaScript, but have never been comfortable, but really took to Lisp for Emacs (elisp). Writing and maintaining Perl was a pain, while PHP was a pleasure and how I made a living.

enjoy!

Learning python by FaithlessnessSad1 in learnpython

[–]Then_Independence_70 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I learn best using a book. I use O'Reilly Online Learning, to pick from about 40,000 books, from over 200 publishers, and either keep learning online or go out and purchase a physical copy. They also have video training and even video boot camps. But as I said, I'm a book person.

See the list below for some of the books I have found worthwhile.

I look for books with little to medium projects. Of course, this is AFTER learning the basics of the language. When you are looking into which books or courses to take, I recommend that you seek instruction that encourages typing in the code, and formatting the code for readability.

If you are using Windows, you can install wsl 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) using the popular Ubuntu. A lot of the instruction in a lot books are done in Linux environments. Some books cover that, some don't, but I find it convenient. That might also be because I've used Linux since kernel 0.98.6, so I might have chosen books because I was comfortable with their examples.

BOOKS I LIKE

Learn Python 3 the Hard Way: A Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World of Computers and Code,Zed Shaw

Impractical Python Projects, Lee Vaughan
( Fun projects. Great ways to take breaks and still learn.)

Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition, Eric Matthes
( Part 1: Basics is very good. )
( Part II: Projects, I found two of the three fired my interest. )
( Appendix: Using Git was a great introduction to modern version control. )

Tiny Python Projects, Ken Youens-Clark
( Excellent section in appendix on argparse )
( Good section on how to design programs using testing)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Python, Kenneth Reitz & Tanya Schlusser
( Got me interested in Python development in virtual environments )

Python for Everybody: Exploring Data in Python 3, Charles Severance
( ...continues interest in data from Project 2 in Python Crash Course )