New Python user

[Tenth_Prime]

ok, so i just got python, but i haven't the faintest idea as to where to begin. anypointers?

[Sharmz]

The Python Website has very good tutorials both for new and experienced programmers. I recommend every programmer reading this How to Think Like a Computer Scientist it deals with the logistics of programming and the article deals mostly in Python.

Good luck!

[Tenth_Prime]

The Python Website has very good tutorials both for new and experienced programmers. I recommend every programmer reading this How to Think Like a Computer Scientist it deals with the logistics of programming and the article deals mostly in Python.

Good luck!

thanks, ima go check these resources out.

[SeachMall]

Also, might I recommend you choose a project to begin coding. In my opinion its very difficult to learn a language if you don't have a goal set. For example, I created a blackjack game when learning Python and it sped up the process two or three fold. If you just read tutorials you'll forget half of what you learned but if you put it into use you're more likely to remember it

[Tenth_Prime]

that is a very good thought you put out, so what is a good starting program?

[SeachMall]

that is a very good thought you put out, so what is a good starting program?

I did a blackjack program, I'm still working on it with GUIs and other stuff, and its a good starting project in my opinion. Its a simple project and only gets as complicated as you want it to and so I'd recommend something like that.

If you're on *nix you could do some simple scrips for backing up files or something like that. Think of what you want to learn programming for and break it down to its core and start there.

[lambda0]

ok, so i just got python, but i haven't the faintest idea as to where to begin. anypointers?

http://www.ibiblio.org/swaroopch/byteofpython/read/

I managed to pick it up in about a week and a half with that. Do the examples, alter the examples, find out what breaks the examples, expand upon the examples, move on. Lovely language.

[Tenth_Prime]

ok, so i just got python, but i haven't the faintest idea as to where to begin. anypointers?

http://www.ibiblio.org/swaroopch/byteofpython/read/

I managed to pick it up in about a week and a half with that. Do the examples, alter the examples, find out what breaks the examples, expand upon the examples, move on. Lovely language.

a week and a half? i'm on it!!

[thedotmaster]

Hey there,
Firstly just in case you need help with executing your code - use cmd/bash.
Windows:

Code: Select all

C:\> script.py

Linux:

Code: Select all

$ python script.py

Save your scripts as .py

I disagree with the guys above. The first step is to learn the foundations (the boring bits). Ignore these and while you might get onto the exciting stuff quicker, you'll get into bad habits and you won't become a good coder.
After that, I recommend picking a little project and working on it.
Why not try:
+ Noughts and Crosses
+ Paper, Scissor, Stone
+ Blackjack
+ A To-Do list / Calendar
+ A web vulnerability scanner

and when you're a little more advanced:
+ A peer-to-peer instant messengering script
+ A chess game
+ An artificial intelligence script.

There are countless more, but remember, if there's a problem with it or an imperfection - don't say "oh well it works alright", say "ahhhh must fix, must make better!!!".
Hacking is all about striving towards the perfect system - it's not a reachable goal, but that makes it all the more fun.

Also, I picked a lot of my Python up from wikibooks and the byte of python.
Ohhh and remember, it doesn't take a week to learn python - it takes years.

[SeachMall]

I disagree with the guys above. The first step is to learn the foundations (the boring bits). Ignore these and while you might get onto the exciting stuff quicker, you'll get into bad habits and you won't become a good coder.

While I do agree with needing to pick up the theory of coding early on when you start you just want to code, reading about it might just kill your passion if you can't see it in effect.

Learn the basics of coding and while working on a project read a book on coding (Code Craft gets my recomendation). This way you get the best of both worlds