Learning Python

Tbid · 5 Feb 2013 at 22:38

I'd like to teach myself Python, I have a little previous experience with Visual Basic although this was now 2 years ago so most of what I learnt is now a distant memory.

Can anyone reccomend any good books or online courses for teaching myself?

I've had a look at http://www.python.org/ but I'd like something with more depth which would start with the basics and then bring me up to a decent level.

I'm not a complete novice but I would need to start from a fairly basic level.

Thanks.

Hyburnate · 6 Feb 2013 at 00:40

CodeAcadamey I think it is, seems pretty decent.

Number_25 · 6 Feb 2013 at 03:19

Get this book.

http://www.headfirstlabs.com/books/hfpython/

AHarvey · 6 Feb 2013 at 05:15

codeacademy and head first both great choices,

Search this area for python, someone started teaching it but there's a few links etc in there as well

GeForce · 6 Feb 2013 at 08:37

Doing something like this is always a good way to get to know the nuts and bolts of a language:

http://projecteuler.net/

Souleh · 6 Feb 2013 at 11:17

Number_25 said:
Get this book.

http://www.headfirstlabs.com/books/hfpython/

Is the ebook worth $40? Yes or no :cool:

Throrik · 6 Feb 2013 at 13:22

Python 2: http://learnpythonthehardway.org/ Zed Shaw is an excellent teacher and his video tutorials are well worth it the cost, but his HTML website is free.

Python 3: http://diveintopython3.net/

Tbid · 6 Feb 2013 at 19:48

Thanks for the reply's, Should I choose 2.x over 3.x? I presume that if I choose 2.x it'll give me a good grounding to go on to use 3.x without too much??

AHarvey · 6 Feb 2013 at 20:55

i'd personally start with 3, then learn how to change it to incorporate 2 modules etc.

and head first is worth it IF you prefer books

Number_25 · 7 Feb 2013 at 00:17

Souleh said:
Is the ebook worth $40? Yes or no

There are ways of 'significantly' reducing costs, if you catch my drift.

I swear by 'Head First' books, they're absolutely fantastic!

Tbid · 7 Feb 2013 at 01:28

Indeed I know what you mean...but I haven't done that. I had a look on Scribd and there is a bit of the book on there. Quite close to the start the book says 'I assume you can program in another language, This book will teach you how to program in Python. Although I do have a little bit of experience with Visual Basic I'd In no way class myself as being able to program in VB.

I have used code academy a bit and done a fair few exercises and it hasn't really introduced me to any new idea's, I've got on fine with it so far, It's getting the syntax right that is my problem at the moment!