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Ask HN: If you are learning a new language today, would you learn Python

1 points by systems 10y ago

and if yes Python 2 or 3

gamedna 10y ago
This depends on a few things, but mostly what previous experience you have with programming. Otherwise, in general learn python 3. It wont hurt.
MildlySerious 10y ago
My answer to that is no, but it's specific to my interests and not really related to the language. I am currently learning Elixir with Rust (definitely) and Kotlin (probably) being next. If you don't already know Python, it is still a good skill to have. I love going back to it for quickly prototyping algorithms sometimes, manipulating some files, or other scripting needs. Outside of that, how it fares in the science community and enterprise, I can't give much insight. The version shouldn't matter too much until you have a need for hardly maintained, very specialized libs. The big stuff usually works with Python 3 these days.
kngspook 10y ago
What languages do you already know?
- systems 10y ago
  I am mostly a BI guy I know SQL and some of its variants (T-SQL, etc ...) And I know several BI and Reporting tools SSRS, SAP WEBI, SSAS, SSRS, PowerPivot and few other tools I spent a lot of time on Perl, and I have a solid understanding of basic programming (functions, objects, loops, recursion, iterators etc ...) In many project, we just need sometimes to create a small data entry program I need either a language or a framework, that will allow me to easily create few entry screens MS Lightswitch would have given me what I needed, except Microsoft seems to have abandoned it (At some point in time I learned enough C# to manage my way into lightswitch) Anyway, I thinking Python's PySide might be a good option for me, since Python seem also big on Data Analysis (which is something I do a lot) But I am also checking iDempiere and Netbeans, Eclipse as possible database GUI platforms
__d 10y ago
IMO, programmers should learn a new language to a superficial level at least once a year, and to a deep level at least every 5 years. Python is a fine choice. And it's easy to learn. The difference between 2 and 3 is basically immaterial, but 3 has more interesting features to play with ...
Gibbon1 10y ago
I just know a little python but seems to me that python and ruby kinda fit the ubber scripting language niche. And more. Also not a real steep learning curve[1] to get to the point of somewhat 'useful and slightly dangerous' [1] I'm absolutely not a fan of tackling something with a steep learning curve without help. (As in I know I'll learn QT, C++ and windows programming at same time)

1 points by systems 10y ago

and if yes Python 2 or 3

This depends on a few things, but mostly what previous experience you have with programming. Otherwise, in general learn python 3. It wont hurt.

MildlySerious 10y ago

My answer to that is no, but it's specific to my interests and not really related to the language. I am currently learning Elixir with Rust (definitely) and Kotlin (probably) being next. If you don't already know Python, it is still a good skill to have. I love going back to it for quickly prototyping algorithms sometimes, manipulating some files, or other scripting needs. Outside of that, how it fares in the science community and enterprise, I can't give much insight. The version shouldn't matter too much until you have a need for hardly maintained, very specialized libs. The big stuff usually works with Python 3 these days.

kngspook 10y ago

What languages do you already know?

systems 10y ago
I am mostly a BI guy I know SQL and some of its variants (T-SQL, etc ...) And I know several BI and Reporting tools SSRS, SAP WEBI, SSAS, SSRS, PowerPivot and few other tools I spent a lot of time on Perl, and I have a solid understanding of basic programming (functions, objects, loops, recursion, iterators etc ...) In many project, we just need sometimes to create a small data entry program I need either a language or a framework, that will allow me to easily create few entry screens MS Lightswitch would have given me what I needed, except Microsoft seems to have abandoned it (At some point in time I learned enough C# to manage my way into lightswitch) Anyway, I thinking Python's PySide might be a good option for me, since Python seem also big on Data Analysis (which is something I do a lot) But I am also checking iDempiere and Netbeans, Eclipse as possible database GUI platforms

__d 10y ago

IMO, programmers should learn a new language to a superficial level at least once a year, and to a deep level at least every 5 years. Python is a fine choice. And it's easy to learn. The difference between 2 and 3 is basically immaterial, but 3 has more interesting features to play with ...

Gibbon1 10y ago

I just know a little python but seems to me that python and ruby kinda fit the ubber scripting language niche. And more. Also not a real steep learning curve[1] to get to the point of somewhat 'useful and slightly dangerous' [1] I'm absolutely not a fan of tackling something with a steep learning curve without help. (As in I know I'll learn QT, C++ and windows programming at same time)