How should I go about learning Python? [closed]

Answer 1

1. If it is your basics in OOPS that you wish to strengthen, Java is a good option(provided you know c++ or any other non-web-based language which supports OOPS). However, if you are looking towards web-development, Python should be your best option.

2. Yes, Python is a good option

3. Yes, Django is a very good web application framework(and they have awesome documentation and tutorials put up at their site)

4. To learn Python I definitely recommend reading "The Python Cookbook" cover-to-cover. Its fun, and covers some very important concepts. However, there really is no substitute for the standard python documentation. Its well written, but it might take a while through a major portion of it. Using it as just reference material is also a fine idea.

5. Well I have seen domains which allow Django to be hosted; also you should try out the GAE(google app engine) once you are comfortable with django. Its a great place to host your apps.

Answer 2

Get ipython. Use it as your shell. This means move, copy, view, change, edit files from ipython. Day to day shell stuff anywhere has enough little problems that one ordinarily solves by piping, but are just as easily solvable by python. The real bonus is that your eye for syntax and simple solutions will develop quickly.

Need to find files? use os.walk,

Running grep? try to 'open' the file instead, try some regex while you are there. Those uses of the language will serve you in any type of python programming.

( Good news, PHP and python use the same underlying regex lib PCRE, so although there are some additions, it'll be familiar to you, )

The nice thing about having this in the language , which is not really the case in PHP or Perl, is that you can just mess around with functions, not full programs.

Why ipython and not the standard REPL or bpython? Easier to use as a shell out of the box. That's all.

Answer 3

I learned Python reading the book Learning Python. I read almost the whole thing on a plane trip, and when I got home I was able to start building applications immediately. There are newer versions out since I read it (and it's longer), but I found it very easy to follow.

As mentioned by others, Django is definitely the place to start for Web development.

Answer 4

Work through the examples on www.pythonchallenge.com. Refer to the language documentation when you get stuck.

Answer 5

Here's some answers to your questions:
Python is an excellent language for beginners looking to learn OO design/programming.

As far as books and websites, the best python book I've read is available free online
Mark Pilgrim's Dive into Python.

For web programming there are many many options. You mention Django which is the most popular although I like Turbogears, Cherrypy and web.py. All of these have their own webserver built-in (Based on paste or cherrypy)

For hosting, it's usually based on fastcgi or Apache's mod_python. I've heard really good reports of webfaction for python based hosting.

Hope this helps, but if you are learning php why not go for Apress's PHP Objects, Patterns, and Practice that's a good book.

Answer 6

If you want to learn about Object Oriented Programming in general, you may want to look at the answers to this question, although many of the books are higher level (and some are aimed at Java/C# like languages instead of Python-like languages).