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Learn Python The Hard Way 2nd Edition Released

learnpythonthehardway.org

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Re: Learn Python The Hard Way 2nd Edition Released

#11

Post by zedshaw »

rgarcia wrote: post #3

What's new in the 2nd edition? Couldn't find a list of updates/additions anywhere.

I just put that on the main site page. I've basically rewritten exercises 50,51, and 52 to have you create a web application out of the game in 41 and 42. I also rewrote 41 and 42 to be a more challenging game that's a bit more complex to create. Finally I fixed bugs and errors in about 50% of the exercises, mostly minor typos here and there.

Re: Learn Python The Hard Way 2nd Edition Released

#12

Post by zedshaw »

creativeone wrote: post #2

What is the advantage of the course (on discount today)?

The course has 8 (I might do more) videos where I go through most of the exercises and show you how to do them with tips as I go. You basically get to watch me make mistakes typing the exercises in and learn how I do it. In addition to that I answer questions people ask on the site.

Re: Learn Python The Hard Way 2nd Edition Released

#14

Post by zedshaw »

Sukotto wrote: post #13

LPTHW has a good rep, but it looks like it focuses on teaching someone who's never programmed before. Would anyone like to recommend something similar for people already well versed in (a) mainstream language(s)?

http://docs.python.org/tutorial/

then do:

http://www.djangobook.com/en/2.0/

But, I'll also say, LPTHW is deceptively simple. Try doing it anyway, since if you know a language already you can blaze through it, and when you get to around 30 or so it sneaks up behind you.

Re: Learn Python The Hard Way 2nd Edition Released

#15

Post by Sukotto »

zedshaw wrote: post #14
Sukotto wrote: post #13

LPTHW has a good rep, but it looks like it focuses on teaching someone who's never programmed before. Would anyone like to recommend something similar for people already well versed in (a) mainstream language(s)?

http://docs.python.org/tutorial/ then do: http://www.djangobook.com/en/2.0/ But, I'll also say, LPTHW is deceptively simple. Try doing it anyway, since if you know a language already you can blaze through it, and when you get to around 30 or so it sneaks up behind you.

Thanks Zed. I'll have a look.

(What's that about 30?)

Re: Learn Python The Hard Way 2nd Edition Released

#16

Post by Ntagg »

Sukotto wrote: post #15
zedshaw wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

http://docs.python.org/tutorial/ then do: http://www.djangobook.com/en/2.0/ But, I'll also say, LPTHW is deceptively simple. Try doing it anyway, since if you know a language already you can blaze through it, and when you get to around 30 or so it sneaks up behind you.

Thanks Zed. I'll have a look. (What's that about 30?)

LPTHW starts to get more complicated around exercise 30.

Re: Learn Python The Hard Way 2nd Edition Released

#17

Post by beaumartinez »

Sukotto wrote: post #13

LPTHW has a good rep, but it looks like it focuses on teaching someone who's never programmed before. Would anyone like to recommend something similar for people already well versed in (a) mainstream language(s)?

Try Dive Into Python 3[1] (although it deals with Python 3, it's more recent than the original Dive Into Python and a lot of what it teaches {to not say everything} is applicable to Python 2, and it touches on the potentially troublesome bytes-Unicode difference).

It's a good, well-informed, easy read.

[1] http://diveintopython3.org/

Re: Learn Python The Hard Way 2nd Edition Released

#18

Post by bradleyland »

Sukotto wrote: post #13

LPTHW has a good rep, but it looks like it focuses on teaching someone who's never programmed before. Would anyone like to recommend something similar for people already well versed in (a) mainstream language(s)?

Don't let that stop you from trying the book. I started programming "way back when" in ASP/VBScript. These days we're a RoR shop, but I needed to pick up Python rather quickly for a side project.

LPTHW is structured well for beginners, but it just so happens it's structured well for pros too. The exercises are a great way to discover portions of Python that aren't intuitive to you. You'll hit roadblocks where your code won't run. That's when you'll really learn.

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