[elsmandino]

Hi there,

I have been messing around with computers for years but have never tried programming.

I have decided that Python is a good language with which to being but am struggling to find where to start.

Ideally I would like an absolute beginner guide to get me up an running.

The following free coursese have been recommended:

"Invent your Own Computer Games with Python" - Al Sweigart

and

"Learn Python the Hard Way"

I would be really grateful for any advice/reviews on either of these or whether there is something else I should consider instead.

Thanks very much.

[b49P23TIvg]

What kind of problems are you hoping to have the computer solve for you?

Have you considered j? http://www.jsoftware.com

[dariyoosh]

Originally Posted by elsmandino

... I would be really grateful for any advice/reviews on either of these or whether there is something else I should consider instead ...

Just as an example (among many others) I started learning by reading this book:

The Quick Python Book (2nd Edition), written by Vern Ceder

Then I read the online python tutorial

http://docs.python.org/release/3.2.3/tutorial/index.html

After this normally you will have the basics, after that all depends on which modules you're going to work (Python includes a huge amount of modules) in your project. Based on that you will need to read the corresponding module documentation. As a result I don't see any difficulty, it's just a matter of time and method.

Regards,
Dariyoosh

[elsmandino]

Thanks for that.

I have just read a quick review of that book and it does seem to suggest that some basic knowledge of programming is expected.

Do you necessarily agree with this?

I really have no experience with programming at all (yet).

In response to b49P23TIvg, I do not really have a specific problem in mind and so am just really trying to dip my toe in the world of programming just to really give me a bit of an understanding of what it is and how it works.

If I could use it to eventually create a few of my own apps, that would be great.

Thanks.

[dariyoosh]

Originally Posted by elsmandino

I have just read a quick review of that book and it does seem to suggest that some basic knowledge of programming is expected.

Do you necessarily agree with this?

Well, yes, this may be true, I have developed since I was in high school but again, I didn't absolutely have any knowledge of Python when I read that book and was helpful for me.

I searched on the python website and it seems that there are tutorials for those who have never done any programming before. Take a look, it might be helpful.

Here is the link:

Python for non programmers


Regards,
Dariyoosh

[Guitarman2010]

The website "CodeAcademy" has beginner tutorials for not only Python but for PHP, Javascript and Ruby. It is not a bad resource to utilize that has interactive learning lessons but the site is a little buggy.