Learning Python

Python is a relatively friendly programming language (subjective, I know) and a good one for the novice programmer to start with. There are numerous resources on the web providing introductory material through to teaching Computer Science with Python code providing the examplar implementation of the theory. Below are a few links to such resources:

• http://docs.python.org/: The official Python documentation with a tutorial to the language and a complete reference to the libraries provided with Python by default.
• Learning Python: A book providing a good introduction to the language. Does not cover the standard Python library in great detail. If you are new to the Python language and want to buy a book, this is a good choice.
• Programming Python: This provides the library reference that "Learning Python" does not. A little old now (covering Python 2.5) but the Python library does not change greatly release to release so it is still a useful reference. Not for someone new to the language or programming.
• Python Essential Reference (4th Edition): This book is like the previous two books in one, but shallower in both areas. Probably better suited to someone already somewhat familiar with a language and looking for a single, off line resource to reference.
• http://diveintopython.org/: Online, free book "Dive into Python". A little old and misses some newer language features but provides a useful and free introduction. Covers the language and selected libraries.
• http://openbookproject.net//thinkCSpy/: Online, free book "How To Think Like a Computer Scientist: Python Version." Teaches computer science using Python for code examples.
• Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python (Pragmatic Programmers): Another book taking a Computer Science approach and using Python as the language for examplifying the concepts.
• MIT's 6.00 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming: Complete course material, including video lectures, from MIT 6.00 "Introduction to Computer Science and Programming". Uses Python as the programming language to illustrate the concepts.

If you have made is as far as installing Python on your computer then you have another great learning resource available to you: the Python interactive interpreter. Invoking python from the command line will start a shell into which you can enter and execute Python commands. Great for trying out Python language features or library functions without writing a full script.

Also available are two builtin functions: dir() and help(). The first, dir(), is provided with anything and will respond with all functions and variables available on the type of the object provided. For example, to get all the functions that can be invoked on a string, type dir(str) into the shell and you'll get back a list of function names. Providing a module name and the list will also contain all classes available within that module. Note that you must first import the module you are querying.

The second function, help(), returns builtin documentation for the object provided. This is a formatted, curated, and more informative set of information than is provided by dir() and corresponds to what is provided in the Python documentation. For those with some Unix knowledge, the output of help is roughly equivalent to man pages. Typing help(str) provides the complete reference for string objects including documentation for all functions. You can also get help on a specific function, for example, help(str.startswith).

The interactive shell and the two functions dir() and help() can get you a long way to writing what you need to write.

Another resource for learning Python will be the site you are reading now. I am somewhat familiar with Python but am by no means an export. Python is one of the tools I use frequently and is one I want to know better. I will be documenting here as I learn more.
 

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