Useful Python Learning Resources¶
In addition to the material we cover in class, there are numerous online resources to help a newcomer get to know Python. The following list represents the best-known and best-regarded of the breed. If you are itching for a bit more work on your Python chops, you should try these out.
Python Language Resources¶
As a Python programmer, you’ll want to keep a bookmark pointed at the official Python documentation (https://docs.python.org/3/), especially the documentation for the standard library (https://docs.python.org/3/library/index.html). However, there are a number of additional resources you can (and should) use to help build your Python chops.
For the beginner¶
- The Python Tutorial (https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/): This is the official tutorial from the Python website. No more authoritative source is available.
- Code Academy Python Track (http://www.codecademy.com/tracks/python): Often cited as a great resource, this site offers an entertaining and engaging approach and in-browser work.
- Learn Python the Hard Way (http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/): Solid and gradual. This course offers a great foundation for folks who have never programmed in any language before.
- Dive Into Python 3 (http://www.diveintopython3.net/): The updated version of a classic. This book offers an introduction to Python aimed at the student who has experience programming in another language.
- Python for You and Me (http://pymbook.readthedocs.org/en/latest/): Simple and clear. This is a great book for absolute newcomers, or to keep as a quick reference as you get used to the language.
- Think Python (http://greenteapress.com/thinkpython/): Methodical and complete. This book offers a very “computer science-style” introduction to Python. It is really an intro to Python in the service of Computer Science, though, so while helpful for the absolute newcomer, it isn’t quite as “pythonic” as it might be.
- Core Python Programming (http://corepython.com/): Only available as a dead trees version, but if you like to have book to hold in your hands anyway, this is the best textbook style introduction out there. It starts from the beginning, but gets into the full language. Published in 2009, but still in print, with updated appendixes available for new language features.
- Python 101 (http://www.blog.pythonlibrary.org/2014/06/03/python-101-book-published-today/) Available as a reasonably priced ebook. This is a new one from a popular Blogger about Python. Lots of practical examples. Also avaiable as a Kindle book: http://www.amazon.com/Python-101-Michael-Driscoll-ebook/dp/B00KQTFHNK
Next Steps¶
- New Coder (http://newcoder.io): Advertised as “Five lifejackets to throw to the new coder”, this site offers five very interesting tutorials written in an engaging style. Not an introduction. More a second step.
- OpenHatch (https://openhatch.org/wiki/Intermediate_Python_Workshop/Projects): The Open Hatch project offers a number of workshops with well-paced intermediate tutorials for Python programming. A great place to go once you have the basics down and are ready for more challenging work.
Evaluating Your Options¶
The blurbs above are short descriptions of the material in each resource. We’ve drawn them both from our own usage of the various tools, and from a wonderful set of online reviews:
done by Marta Maria Casetti on her blog, “Planning a Dinner” (http://planningadinner.blogspot.com/).
The poster she presented at PyCon 2014 (http://planningadinner.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-poster.html) as a result of that research offers some great hints about the aspects of Python programming best covered by each resource. I would urge any new student of Python to take the time to look over this poster to help determine the best path forward for themselves.
iPython Interpreter Resources¶
iPython is an enhanced interpreter that makes interactive experimentation at the command line much more pleasant and powerful.
- The iPython tutorial
(https://ipython.org/ipython-doc/stable/interactive/tutorial.html)
- Using IPython for interactive work
(http://ipython.org/ipython-doc/stable/interactive/index.html) Learn about the abilities iPython provides for interactive sessions.
- The iPython Documentation
(http://ipython.org/ipython-doc/stable/index.html) Use this to learn more about iPython’s amazing capabilities.