On Sun, 14 Nov 2010, Paul Rubin wrote: > Jorge Biquez <jbiq...@icsmx.com> writes: > > I was wondering if you can share what was the strategy you followed to > > master Python (Yes I know I have to work hard study and practice a lot). > > 1. Read the tutorial http://docs.python.org/tutorial/ > 2. Start writing code, and encounter various issues as usually happens. > 3. Refer to the other reference manuals, web search, and ask questions > in the newsgroup as you run into issues. > 4. After a while you'll have hit most of the usual issues and learned > how to deal with them, and how to find resolution for new issues that > might come up. That's about as close to mastery as one normally > reaches in this world. > > Python is a pretty easy language if you have a reasonable programming > background when you first start with it. I think the way it's currently > organized, it may not be so great for self-study if you're not already a > programmer. > > > I mean did you use special books, special sites, > > Nah.
Wow, exactly same strategy by me. Do you think it should be GPLed, by chance ;-) ? I find this way of learning to be a bit hard (it must have helped that I was no beginner), but somehow none other option came to my head when I was approaching Python some years ago. I guess I'm not a good follower of various written "rules of engagement". So, after tutorial I jumped over the standard Python docs (module index, plus library & language references) until I found whatever was needed at the moment. So choice of strategy depends on choice maker. BTW, I think it was very important in my case to have specific program in mind, begging me to write it in Python. So learning was more exciting thanks to this. I came to Python from some other languages, of which only C retains it's value to me nowadays. I consider myself kind of departed from Pythonland, in search of some other, maybe better alternatives - but it is quite possible Python will join C. I'm undecided, as I've not tried 3.x yet. As a side note, I'm not quite sure Python is good for beginners. Yes, it is very simple and easy to grasp. And yes, it is a bit too simple, maybe? So a beginner learns to think in terms of nails and hammers, but may never hear of screwdrivers in his programing life. I may be wrong but, thinking of it, I feel it was good I have been exposed to Pascal and C (and few other things) long before Python. I would advise Python to casual/Sunday programers, knowing there is big chance they will never learn more than this, so Python is their best option IMHO. But in case of "serious"/"serial" ;-) programing, I would save Python for second or third language. I mean, I perceive it as rather "one way to do it" language and forcing this "one way" on unformed programer doesn't look good. No offence. See? I'm still here. Regards, Tomasz Rola -- ** A C programmer asked whether computer had Buddha's nature. ** ** As the answer, master did "rm -rif" on the programmer's home ** ** directory. And then the C programmer became enlightened... ** ** ** ** Tomasz Rola mailto:tomasz_r...@bigfoot.com ** -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
