On Fri, Sep 20, 2013 at 7:58 PM, Aseem Bansal <asmbans...@gmail.com> wrote: > I started Python 4 months ago. Largely self-study with use of Python > documentation, stackoverflow and google. I was thinking what is the minimum > that I must know before I can say that I know Python? > > I come from a C background which is comparatively smaller. But as Python is > comparatively much larger what minimum should I know? > > Just a general question not for a specific purpose.
Interesting. Everything's relative. I would say that I "know Python" at the point where I am comfortable using it to solve problems, as opposed to using it to learn Python. That is to say, when you choose Python (above bash, or above some other language, or whatever) because it will take you less time to achieve a goal in Python than in any other language, when it's the goal that's important. I'd also add, though it's somewhat tangential to the first, that "knowing Python" also requires knowing when/where Python is a good choice of language. I like to be able to make one-sentence summaries of the form "X is a good choice when you want to...": * Python: put something together NOW, with no boilerplate * Pike: run a server that reloads code without dropping connections * C: implement a high level language (or a module for one) * PHP: gouge your eyes out with a rusty fork, but aren't allowed to on work time * Haskell: code functionally rather than imperatively (I'm not familiar with a broad range of functional languages; someone who is would be distinguishing them from each other) * bash: execute a series of commands, with minimal processing in between * Lua: embed a tiny and secure scripting language in an application * JavaScript/ECMAScript: ditto, but less tiny * Brainf*: gouge your eyes out with a rusty fork, but aren't allowed to use PHP Etcetera. Familiarity with a language requires knowing both how to use it and when to use it. ChrisA -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
