Re: Python Programming Books?
I third this opinion. This book gave me a lot of insight and helped me
get comfortable using Python. I also recall looking at a document Guido
published on how to get started with Python as well as reading the
reference docs that come bundled with the language install. Of course I
came from a background of already using Ruby so the departure wasn't
altogether difficult. The languages are different but to me they seem
like cousins :-)
Typically when I try to teach myself a new language, such as Python,
Ruby, Smalltalk, Scheme, Haskell, etc. I check out my online catalog
through my local library system. Usually I can find a couple of books
to peruse. If I don't like them I can just drop them back off. Then I
check out eBay for used books. This route was especially helpful for
teaching myself Smalltalk, since a lot of the books were 10-20 years
old so I picked them up for anywhere between $1.00 to $5.00.
I digress. "Learning Python" by Mark Lutz is a thorough and complete
introduction to what you need to know to get started. Even if you are
coming into Python with no prior programming language exposure.
John Salerno wrote:[color=blue]
> vbgunz wrote:[color=green]
> > Learning Python by Mark Lutz will be the most perfect book to get you
> > started! Perhaps there are others aimed at the non-programmer but after
> > getting through that book (2 times) I finally left it with wings... It
> > is a great book for the n00b in my humble opinion. After that, you'll
> > pretty much start flying higher on your own as long as you always keep
> > the python docs handy along with the addresses to comp.lang.pytho n and
> > it's IRC channel #python on irc.freenode.ne t...
> >
> > Good luck, welcome to Python!
> >[/color]
>
> I second this opinion completely. Use this book to start with! It is a
> wonderful intro to the language and will give you a solid foundation.
>
> As for waiting for a 3rd edition, don't do it! If you're like me, you'll
> want the latest there is, so I was tempted to start with something newer
> too (since this book covers up to 2.2), but honestly it covers
> everything you need to know. There are maybe two or three new additions
> that you can read about elsewhere, but Learning Python is THE book to
> start with, IMO.
>
> Get it now! :)[/color]
I third this opinion. This book gave me a lot of insight and helped me
get comfortable using Python. I also recall looking at a document Guido
published on how to get started with Python as well as reading the
reference docs that come bundled with the language install. Of course I
came from a background of already using Ruby so the departure wasn't
altogether difficult. The languages are different but to me they seem
like cousins :-)
Typically when I try to teach myself a new language, such as Python,
Ruby, Smalltalk, Scheme, Haskell, etc. I check out my online catalog
through my local library system. Usually I can find a couple of books
to peruse. If I don't like them I can just drop them back off. Then I
check out eBay for used books. This route was especially helpful for
teaching myself Smalltalk, since a lot of the books were 10-20 years
old so I picked them up for anywhere between $1.00 to $5.00.
I digress. "Learning Python" by Mark Lutz is a thorough and complete
introduction to what you need to know to get started. Even if you are
coming into Python with no prior programming language exposure.
John Salerno wrote:[color=blue]
> vbgunz wrote:[color=green]
> > Learning Python by Mark Lutz will be the most perfect book to get you
> > started! Perhaps there are others aimed at the non-programmer but after
> > getting through that book (2 times) I finally left it with wings... It
> > is a great book for the n00b in my humble opinion. After that, you'll
> > pretty much start flying higher on your own as long as you always keep
> > the python docs handy along with the addresses to comp.lang.pytho n and
> > it's IRC channel #python on irc.freenode.ne t...
> >
> > Good luck, welcome to Python!
> >[/color]
>
> I second this opinion completely. Use this book to start with! It is a
> wonderful intro to the language and will give you a solid foundation.
>
> As for waiting for a 3rd edition, don't do it! If you're like me, you'll
> want the latest there is, so I was tempted to start with something newer
> too (since this book covers up to 2.2), but honestly it covers
> everything you need to know. There are maybe two or three new additions
> that you can read about elsewhere, but Learning Python is THE book to
> start with, IMO.
>
> Get it now! :)[/color]
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