7 ms·

Learn Python Programming

118 points by mgalarny 10y ago

sidlls 10y ago
This is definitely a very soft introduction for beginners to both Python and programming in my opinion. I didn't go past the first two exercise groups. I would omit the remarks at the beginning about 2 vs. 3 compatibility. Not only is it wrong as an absolute, it doesn't add value to the tutorials. The audience this is appropriate for is unlikely to care or even understand. Simply link directly to the Python 3 version to download.
- gnashville 10y ago
  I recently went through Learn Python the Hard Way (which is currently all written for 2.7), then enrolled in a intro python class at the city college that's all python3. The transition was a bit of a struggle; would have preferred to skip LPTHW for something written for py3+.
  - alexwilde 10y ago
    https://learnpythonthehardway.org/python3/ https://learnpythonthehardway.org/python3/ Just received an email the other day about the alpha.
    - michaelchisari 10y ago
      This has been my biggest problem with suggesting LPTHW to people. Not just that it was Python2 oriented, but that it was explicitly opposed to Python3. I'm glad they're finally moving on to Python3.
    - dx034 10y ago
      > I do not recommend Python 3 to any beginner due to serious issues with the design of strings, destruction of dynamic typing in strings vs. bytes, ... He still doesn't seem to be a fan of Python 3. Not sure if it's a good idea to write a book about a language that you don't like..
      - whyever 10y ago
        It seems like he does not like programming in general: > I've been programming for a very long time. So long that it's incredibly boring to me. [...] Programming as a profession is only moderately interesting. It can be a good job, but you could make about the same money and be happier running a fast food joint.
        satysin 10y ago
        This is the biggest problem I have with any of Zed's content. To me it feels like he is saying "learning this stuff is fucking useless. Get a job running a KFC as programming sucks". I mean for God sake how patronising. If I want to learn something I don't need to be told it's pointless and to rub a fast food joint. I really dislike his attitude. Also I hate his "I can't be arsed to explain this bit as I'm bored of teaching you so Google for x y z and read about it yourself. "
        bbctol 10y ago
        It seems he doesn't like anything in general. Good resource, but the hardest thing about getting through LPTHW is reading it.
- simula67 10y ago
  I love how the Python community subtly works promotion of Python 3 into every single discussion
  - wiz21 10y ago
    I love how the Apple community subtly works promotion of the latest iPhone in every single discussion
  - wiz21 10y ago
    moreover, Python3 is not the problem, it's the fact that it coexists with Python 2 that is.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
teach 10y ago
I'd argue that this isn't especially "for beginners". I know I'm a special case, but you cover more concepts in 18 exercises than I cover in my entire first book (Learn Java the Hard Way; 58 exercises and 250 pages). Maybe people who already know how to code in other languages but are just trying to Learn Python?
- ggggtez 10y ago
  I'd argue a book isn't really comparable to a website, if done correctly. A book needs to be self sufficient. Websites can move faster and suppliment with googling
  - thewhitetulip 10y ago
    true but few books are awesome like Python Programming by Mark Lutz ((I forgot author's exact surname, sorry)
JacquesUndocked 10y ago
Affiliate links pretending to be a useful site. No "About Us" on the site and Whois information blocked by 3rd party service. So much web noise making a fast buck instead of producing a real product or service.
- teach 10y ago
  Not to mention what was probably an expensive domain name. It definitely seems shady to me.
  - mgalarny 10y ago
    I spent a lot of time making the exercises. Nothing shady :)
    - teach 10y ago
      Sorry to cast doubt. I forget what it's like for people that don't do this professionally; I could have created all those assignments in 10 hours, tops because that's what I've done for a living for the past 19+ years. Good luck.
      - dx034 10y ago
        Still not shady if it helps others to learn Python. I don't have an issue that someone gets money for providing tutorials online. And maybe there's a reason why he doesn't want to find his name on Google. Whois protection makes sense anyway, the amount of spam you get after registering a website is incredible. IMHO it's worth spending $2/yr for that service.
jdeisenberg 10y ago
Seems very short on explanation. I believe that "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist" (http://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/thinkcspy/toc.html http://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/thinkcspy/toc....) gives better explanation plus allows testing code in the browser.
- ftrflyr 10y ago
  Thanks for sharing this. I am currently learning Python and this is my approach: [1] Work through Learn Python The Hard Way (both online and the book) [2] Build an AI Agent to Solve Raven's Progressive Matrices Focusing on these two things only provides the knowledge and practice necessary to learn and implement I believe. Obviously, I just started so maybe I'll provide an update once I get along further months from now.
  - andnand 10y ago
    There was some discussion on reddit about why LPTHW isn't as great a resource anymore and some suggestions for alternatives. https://www.reddit.com/r/Python/comments/40s6dm/meta_can_we_take_learn_python_the_hard_way_off/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Python/comments/40s6dm/meta_can_we_...
0xmohit 10y ago
One is left with very little doubt about the quality of such resources, when you see examples like [0]: def sum(list): sum = 0 for l in list: sum = sum + l return sum mylist = [1,2,3,4,5] print(sum(mylist)) Hint: Observe the name of (1) the function, (2) the parameter therein. [0] http://askpython.com/functions/ http://askpython.com/functions/
- burkaman 10y ago
  What's wrong with that
  - fucking_tragedy 10y ago
    They're shadowing builtins. Python's list type can't be referenced by its name in the defined sum function and Python's sum function can't be used in or after the new function's definition. One could argue that in a source meant to teach Python, it shouldn't use examples that don't follow best practices. I feel that as a resource to, from the page, "learn how to write code, the basics and see examples" that it doesn't really matter too much.
    - scrapcode 10y ago
      I learned to program in PHP and builtins tripped me up a LOT as a new programmer. Talk about wrapping your head around some things when you're brand new.
    - ATsch 10y ago
      I thought GP's issue was that the function is shadowing itself within itself, which I think is worse than shadowing a builtin with a similar function.
      - fucking_tragedy 10y ago
        I had completely missed that one. That is pretty bad and confusing.
      - 10y ago
denfromufa 10y ago
I started learning python mostly by going through Google lectures by Nick Parlante: https://developers.google.com/edu/python/ https://developers.google.com/edu/python/ Google Code Jam is very helpful if you like algorithmic programming. One of the nicest things about python is rich libraries for daily mundane GUI automation: pyautogui, pyhooks, pywinauto, sikuli, etc.

118 points by mgalarny 10y ago

This is definitely a very soft introduction for beginners to both Python and programming in my opinion. I didn't go past the first two exercise groups. I would omit the remarks at the beginning about 2 vs. 3 compatibility. Not only is it wrong as an absolute, it doesn't add value to the tutorials. The audience this is appropriate for is unlikely to care or even understand. Simply link directly to the Python 3 version to download.

gnashville 10y ago
I recently went through Learn Python the Hard Way (which is currently all written for 2.7), then enrolled in a intro python class at the city college that's all python3. The transition was a bit of a struggle; would have preferred to skip LPTHW for something written for py3+.
- alexwilde 10y ago
  https://learnpythonthehardway.org/python3/ https://learnpythonthehardway.org/python3/ Just received an email the other day about the alpha.
  - michaelchisari 10y ago
    This has been my biggest problem with suggesting LPTHW to people. Not just that it was Python2 oriented, but that it was explicitly opposed to Python3. I'm glad they're finally moving on to Python3.
  - dx034 10y ago
    > I do not recommend Python 3 to any beginner due to serious issues with the design of strings, destruction of dynamic typing in strings vs. bytes, ... He still doesn't seem to be a fan of Python 3. Not sure if it's a good idea to write a book about a language that you don't like..
    - whyever 10y ago
      It seems like he does not like programming in general: > I've been programming for a very long time. So long that it's incredibly boring to me. [...] Programming as a profession is only moderately interesting. It can be a good job, but you could make about the same money and be happier running a fast food joint.
      - satysin 10y ago
        This is the biggest problem I have with any of Zed's content. To me it feels like he is saying "learning this stuff is fucking useless. Get a job running a KFC as programming sucks". I mean for God sake how patronising. If I want to learn something I don't need to be told it's pointless and to rub a fast food joint. I really dislike his attitude. Also I hate his "I can't be arsed to explain this bit as I'm bored of teaching you so Google for x y z and read about it yourself. "
      - bbctol 10y ago
        It seems he doesn't like anything in general. Good resource, but the hardest thing about getting through LPTHW is reading it.
simula67 10y ago
I love how the Python community subtly works promotion of Python 3 into every single discussion
- wiz21 10y ago
  I love how the Apple community subtly works promotion of the latest iPhone in every single discussion
- wiz21 10y ago
  moreover, Python3 is not the problem, it's the fact that it coexists with Python 2 that is.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

teach 10y ago

I'd argue that this isn't especially "for beginners". I know I'm a special case, but you cover more concepts in 18 exercises than I cover in my entire first book (Learn Java the Hard Way; 58 exercises and 250 pages). Maybe people who already know how to code in other languages but are just trying to Learn Python?

ggggtez 10y ago
I'd argue a book isn't really comparable to a website, if done correctly. A book needs to be self sufficient. Websites can move faster and suppliment with googling
- thewhitetulip 10y ago
  true but few books are awesome like Python Programming by Mark Lutz ((I forgot author's exact surname, sorry)

JacquesUndocked 10y ago

Affiliate links pretending to be a useful site. No "About Us" on the site and Whois information blocked by 3rd party service. So much web noise making a fast buck instead of producing a real product or service.

teach 10y ago
Not to mention what was probably an expensive domain name. It definitely seems shady to me.
- mgalarny 10y ago
  I spent a lot of time making the exercises. Nothing shady :)
  - teach 10y ago
    Sorry to cast doubt. I forget what it's like for people that don't do this professionally; I could have created all those assignments in 10 hours, tops because that's what I've done for a living for the past 19+ years. Good luck.
    - dx034 10y ago
      Still not shady if it helps others to learn Python. I don't have an issue that someone gets money for providing tutorials online. And maybe there's a reason why he doesn't want to find his name on Google. Whois protection makes sense anyway, the amount of spam you get after registering a website is incredible. IMHO it's worth spending $2/yr for that service.

jdeisenberg 10y ago

Seems very short on explanation. I believe that "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist" (http://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/thinkcspy/toc.html http://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/thinkcspy/toc....) gives better explanation plus allows testing code in the browser.

ftrflyr 10y ago
Thanks for sharing this. I am currently learning Python and this is my approach: [1] Work through Learn Python The Hard Way (both online and the book) [2] Build an AI Agent to Solve Raven's Progressive Matrices Focusing on these two things only provides the knowledge and practice necessary to learn and implement I believe. Obviously, I just started so maybe I'll provide an update once I get along further months from now.
- andnand 10y ago
  There was some discussion on reddit about why LPTHW isn't as great a resource anymore and some suggestions for alternatives. https://www.reddit.com/r/Python/comments/40s6dm/meta_can_we_take_learn_python_the_hard_way_off/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Python/comments/40s6dm/meta_can_we_...

0xmohit 10y ago

One is left with very little doubt about the quality of such resources, when you see examples like [0]: def sum(list): sum = 0 for l in list: sum = sum + l return sum mylist = [1,2,3,4,5] print(sum(mylist)) Hint: Observe the name of (1) the function, (2) the parameter therein. [0] http://askpython.com/functions/ http://askpython.com/functions/

burkaman 10y ago
What's wrong with that
- fucking_tragedy 10y ago
  They're shadowing builtins. Python's list type can't be referenced by its name in the defined sum function and Python's sum function can't be used in or after the new function's definition. One could argue that in a source meant to teach Python, it shouldn't use examples that don't follow best practices. I feel that as a resource to, from the page, "learn how to write code, the basics and see examples" that it doesn't really matter too much.
  - scrapcode 10y ago
    I learned to program in PHP and builtins tripped me up a LOT as a new programmer. Talk about wrapping your head around some things when you're brand new.
  - ATsch 10y ago
    I thought GP's issue was that the function is shadowing itself within itself, which I think is worse than shadowing a builtin with a similar function.
    - fucking_tragedy 10y ago
      I had completely missed that one. That is pretty bad and confusing.
    - 10y ago

denfromufa 10y ago

I started learning python mostly by going through Google lectures by Nick Parlante: https://developers.google.com/edu/python/ https://developers.google.com/edu/python/ Google Code Jam is very helpful if you like algorithmic programming. One of the nicest things about python is rich libraries for daily mundane GUI automation: pyautogui, pyhooks, pywinauto, sikuli, etc.