[Tutor] 5 questions
1. Is there a searchable archive of this list? 2. Is there list ettiquette one should be aware of? 3. Besides Vaults of Parnassus, are there other webpages which list projects written in Python? I'm mainly interested in looking at non-technical software, things for the common user to use. I've been surprised at just how little of that type I've found so far. 4. Can anyone recommend good books for non-programmers starting out learning Python? I've looked through a few so far and they are ok (Learning Python, Python: How to Program) but am still hoping to find one that doesn't assume any prior knowledge of programming and defines terms when they are first presented. (That might be a tall order, I know...) 5. If I want to take user information from text boxes, check boxes, etc., and store it for later re-display to the person (imagine a movie rating diary, with text review of the film and checkboxes or sliders to give it 5 stars, or has action, or is a comedy, etc.) and have all of it be efficiently searchable, what are some good ways to go in terms of how to save the information? For now I have textbox info saving just to a .txt file, but that can't be a good way to go about it. I have the vague sense I should learn about databases, but really am not sure what to read about... Suggestions? _ All-in-one security and maintenance for your PC. Get a free 90-day trial! http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwlo005002msn/direct/01/?href=http://www.windowsonecare.com/?sc_cid=msn_hotmail ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
Re: [Tutor] 5 questions
1. Is there a searchable archive of this list? Yes, the ActiveState archive is searchable. The gmane version might be too? 2. Is there list ettiquette one should be aware of? Yes, but I'm not sure how you get a copy. Moderators??? 3. Besides Vaults of Parnassus, are there other webpages which list projects written in Python? I'm mainly interested in looking at non-technical software, things for the common user to use. I've been surprised at just how little of that type I've found so far. Thee are a few such sites around. The Vaults seem to be falling into obsolesece now, although its still my first choice. Others will give you their favourites I'm sure. 4. Can anyone recommend good books for non-programmers starting out learning Python? I've looked through a few so far and they are ok (Learning Python, Python: How to Program) but am still hoping to find one that doesn't assume any prior knowledge of programming and defines terms when they are first presented. (That might be a tall order, I know...) Well, my book assumes zero knowledge and tries to define all terms as they arise. The book is quite old in Python terms but because it is a basics book only it still works quite well, the only significant drop off is that it uses the old string module rather than the newer string methods. Ivan Lanningham's Teah Yourself Python... is also targetted at complete beginners but also is focussed on version 1.5.1 with the same failings. I believe there are a couple of newer books around for beginners too, but I confess I havemn't kept up to date on that front. There are so many Python books available now we are spoilt for choice. That having been said I personally tend to recommend sticking with web based tutorials in the beginning since novice books become irrelevant fairly quickly. The web sites tend to be updated more often than books too. My book uses Python 1.5.1, but the web tutor is for Python 2.3 5. If I want to take user information from text boxes, check boxes, etc., and store it for later re-display to the person (imagine a movie rating diary, with text review of the film and checkboxes or sliders to give it 5 stars, or has action, or is a comedy, etc.) and have all of it be efficiently searchable, what are some good ways to go in terms of how to save the information? For now I have textbox info saving just to a .txt file, but that can't be a good way to go about it. I have the vague sense I should learn about databases, but really am not sure what to read about... Yes databases are a good searchable storage facility. There is a database topic in my web tuitorial that should be enough to get you started. -- Alan Gauld Author of the Learn to Program web site http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
Re: [Tutor] 5 questions
Alan Gauld wrote: Pine Marten wrote: 2. Is there list ettiquette one should be aware of? Yes, but I'm not sure how you get a copy. Moderators??? Hmm, I didn't get that as part of my new moderator's welcome package. We are pretty informal. The only real rule I can think of is, don't ask us to do your homework, and if someone does ask for a homework solution, don't give it. We will *help* with homework if you make an attempt and ask for help. The best way to ask a question is to make your best attempt at a solution and show it. Then we can see where you are stuck. If you get an exception traceback from your program, include the entire traceback in your post. 3. Besides Vaults of Parnassus, are there other webpages which list projects written in Python? I'm mainly interested in looking at non-technical software, things for the common user to use. I've been surprised at just how little of that type I've found so far. Thee are a few such sites around. The Vaults seem to be falling into obsolesece now, although its still my first choice. Others will give you their favourites I'm sure. The Python Package Index AKA the Cheese Shop is the current repository of choice: http://www.python.org/pypi If there is something specific you are looking for you could ask here or google for python plus the specific topic. 4. Can anyone recommend good books for non-programmers starting out learning Python? I've looked through a few so far and they are ok (Learning Python, Python: How to Program) but am still hoping to find one that doesn't assume any prior knowledge of programming and defines terms when they are first presented. (That might be a tall order, I know...) Try these two: http://personalpages.tds.net/~kent37/BookList.html#learning-python ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
Re: [Tutor] 5 questions
Kent Johnson wrote: Alan Gauld wrote: Pine Marten wrote: 2. Is there list ettiquette one should be aware of? Yes, but I'm not sure how you get a copy. Moderators??? Hmm, I didn't get that as part of my new moderator's welcome package. We are pretty informal. The only real rule I can think of is, don't ask us to do your homework, and if someone does ask for a homework solution, don't give it. We will *help* with homework if you make an attempt and ask for help. The best way to ask a question is to make your best attempt at a solution and show it. Then we can see where you are stuck. If you get an exception traceback from your program, include the entire traceback in your post. You should've gotten this e-mail when you registered: Your message for tutor@python.org, the Python programming tutor list, has been received and is being delivered. This automated response is sent to those of you new to the Tutor list, to point out a few resources that can help with answering your own questions, or improve the chances of getting a useful answer from the other subscribers. If your question is something akin to: I've just heard about Python, and it sounds great! Where can I find out more on how to program with Python? or: What's Python? please read section 1 below. On the other hand, if your question is: I've heard that Python is good for hacking -- I want to know more! or Can you teach me how to break into a computer with Python? please read section 2 at the bottom of this email. Section 1: -- The most comprehensive overview of python.org help resources is at http://www.python.org/Help.html The Python FAQ is available at http://www.python.org/doc/FAQ.html and it has answers to many questions that people ask, possibly including your question. Another wealth of information and experience can be found via the python.org searches, at http://www.python.org/search/ There you'll find comprehensive, easy-to-use searches over the python.org web site and the Python newsgroup, comp.lang.python. Python has an online tutorial, available freely from http://www.python.org/doc/current/tut/tut.html Finally, when you do send email to the Tutor list, be as clear as you can about the problem, including, when relevant, details like: - Precise error messages, including complete tracebacks - The hardware platform (available in the Python sys module as sys.platform) - The python version (sys.version) - The python search path (sys.path) In general, be specific about what was going on connected with the problem or what specific concept you're having difficulties with. The better the info you provide, the more likely the helpers will be able to glean the answer... There's a HOWTO that shows how to ask smart questions to technical folks: http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html Although it is provocative, it does have some good points, and is an interesting read. Note that no one is paid to read the tutor list or provide answers, and most readers often have other work that demands their attention. Well-posed requests for help are usually answered fairly promptly, but occasionally a request slips by, so if you do not get a response with one or two working days (it's usually quicker than that), please feel free to send a followup, asking whether anyone is working on your question. Anyway, your message is being delivered to the Tutor list as this one is being sent. However, if your question was about as detailed as Teach me how to program in Python, do not count on an answer -- this email contains all the information you need to start. Come back with a more precise question, and we'll be glad to help. Thanks! Section 2: -- We periodically get requests which ask about hacking or cracking or breaking into computers. If you haven't yet, go read Eric Raymond's article How To Become a Hacker at http://catb.org/esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html If, after you've read that, you want help learning how to hack the way Eric defines the word, then come back to us (and read Section 1 above). If you want help learning how to crack, go look elsewhere -- we're not interested in helping you do that. That about sums it up for me :) ___ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
