Re: [Tutor] Best way of learning
At 02:43 PM 12/5/2007, andy wrote: Over a year ago I dabbled in learning Python, working my way through a few tutorials, the Deitel's How to program in Python and Hetland's Practical Python, until I came across the OOP sections. My mind just froze up, and I found myself wondering if I had really understood anything at all. In addition to which I didn't have any itch that I needed to scratch so was trying to learn something without any purpose. So I stopped. Take a look at a book just out, Object-Oriented Programming in Python, http://www.bestbookdeal.com/book/detail/0136150314. I'm hoping it will unfreeze my mind about OOP. Dick Moores ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
Re: [Tutor] Best way of learning
On Dec 5, 2007 11:43 PM, andy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: So, after this long-winded introduction, I was hoping to pick the wisdom of this list to get some pointers of what to do/not to do to make the most effective use of the few hours I have to learn how to program using Python. So, any advice for someone in their mid-40s who would like to learn Python in a more methodical and effective manner? In my opinion, the best way to learn _anything_ is to try to do it, and then look around for tips every now and then in the mean time. You'll connect much more easily with the information when it's something you've recently struggled with. And practice is the most important part of any learning anyway. So, what do you want to do with Python? Any other hobbies you can connect it with? Perhaps ideas for a dynamic web site or something? In my experience, learning something just for abstract knowledge can be fun for a while, but it's hard to stay committed. And there's nothing wrong with that, there's only so many hours in a day, and the things you actually use in life should probably take precedence :-) So if you've written small tools, feel like expanding them? Used modules in them that you don't entirely understand yet, perhaps dive into their docs? Perhaps the Python Challenge ( http://www.pythonchallenge.com/ ) is something for you? It's at least sideways a little into the hacking spirit, it's fun, and it's a tour of what Python can do - but you'll have to find the way yourself :-) Remco Gerlich ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
Re: [Tutor] Best way of learning
The way I learned python was through this wikibook: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Python_Programming I found it very easy to understand and very helpful. ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
Re: [Tutor] Best way of learning
Over a year ago I dabbled in learning Python, working my way through a few tutorials, the Deitel's How to program in Python and Hetland's Practical Python, until I came across the OOP sections. My mind just froze up, and I found myself wondering if I had really understood anything at all. : I am happy to read, and have done a fair amount, but am concerned about getting too overwhelmed and confused again. I acknowledge and realise the value of practising by scripting programs and enjoy the intellectual challenge of the debugging process, and trying to think through the trick of a particular way of cracking a problem. So, after this long-winded introduction, I was hoping to pick the wisdom of this list to get some pointers of what to do/not to do to make the most effective use of the few hours I have to learn how to program using Python. So, any advice for someone in their mid-40s who would like to learn Python in a more methodical and effective manner? hi there, and a belated welcome to Python. the fact that you have some coding under your belt really helps. without being too much of a shameless plug, you are a member of the target audience i wrote Core Python Programming for: you have some programming skills and want to learn Python quickly and effectively. the book has lots of small snippets that you should be able to easily follow, plus there are both short and long, easy and more difficult, exercises at the end of every chapter. check out the philosophy behind the book (plus all kinds of reviews!) at the book's website http://corepython.com you can also find a link to downloading a free chapter on the left-hand side too. as a programmer myself with over 10 years of Python, i know what newbies need to know in order to become effective in their new favorite language. :-) my goal as an instructor is to be able to explain things in a simple enough manner that things are clear, with the minimal amount of confusion, including the OOP chapter. finally, my goal as the author is to merge all of this together in an easy-to-swallow and conversational format along with practical examples to solidify your newfound knowledge. should i mention i'm in your age group too? ;-) best of luck to you, and again, welcome to Python! -- wesley - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Core Python Programming, Prentice Hall, (c)2007,2001 http://corepython.com wesley.j.chun :: wescpy-at-gmail.com python training and technical consulting cyberweb.consulting : silicon valley, ca http://cyberwebconsulting.com ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
[Tutor] Best way of learning
Dear Pythonistas Over a year ago I dabbled in learning Python, working my way through a few tutorials, the Deitel's How to program in Python and Hetland's Practical Python, until I came across the OOP sections. My mind just froze up, and I found myself wondering if I had really understood anything at all. In addition to which I didn't have any itch that I needed to scratch so was trying to learn something without any purpose. So I stopped. In the interim however I did have a few occasions to write programs and scripts for my GNU/Linux system to do the odd thing here and there, a few conversion programs and calculators. I found myself going back to the books and trying to figure it out again, and am proud to say that I have a few programs now that are probably not elegant nor the most efficient or stylish, but do the job. This has re-awakened my interest in programming and as I am going back to basics again I am conscious that I want to approach the matter differently. I *don't* work in a programming environment, nor am I likely to ever get into development, although would be interested in learning ethical hacking (the idea just interests me - too many espionage movies as a kid I guess). I am happy to read, and have done a fair amount, but am concerned about getting too overwhelmed and confused again. I acknowledge and realise the value of practising by scripting programs and enjoy the intellectual challenge of the debugging process, and trying to think through the trick of a particular way of cracking a problem. So, after this long-winded introduction, I was hoping to pick the wisdom of this list to get some pointers of what to do/not to do to make the most effective use of the few hours I have to learn how to program using Python. So, any advice for someone in their mid-40s who would like to learn Python in a more methodical and effective manner? Thanks in anticipation. Andy -- If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers. - Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
Re: [Tutor] Best way of learning
On Dec 5, 2007 5:43 PM, andy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear Pythonistas [snip] So, after this long-winded introduction, I was hoping to pick the wisdom of this list to get some pointers of what to do/not to do to make the most effective use of the few hours I have to learn how to program using Python. So, any advice for someone in their mid-40s who would like to learn Python in a more methodical and effective manner? Thanks in anticipation. Andy It sounds to me like a good book or two would be just the thing for you. May I suggest: Learning Python by Mark Lutz and Programming Python Third Edition by the same author. Happy Programming! -- b h a a l u u at g m a i l dot c o m http://www.geocities.com/ek.bhaaluu/python/index.html ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
