Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
curphey.com
Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
1–10 of 29 posts
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#2It's interesting what he said about choosing Python over Ruby. I made the same choice this past week. My friends and I are trying to start creating a web service off an idea we had months ago and while they were all talked into learning RoR, watching them struggle to even install Rails on their machines as well as horror stories about Ruby's constant version updates made me choose to learn Python instead. Zed Shaw's famous rant/article played a role in my decision too, and this article seems to support what Zed said a couple years ago about the community being "arrogant" and difficult.
(Now my friends and I are learning separate languages and planning to work on the same product, and I'm actually curious how/if this will resolve itself...)
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#3ahhh.. he said, she said.
i really love to read very good illustrations of how ruby developers being arrogant for noobies.
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#4I find it telling that even though the entire article focuses on outlining a way to spend ~1 week to learn 'core python,' the only two comments so far focus on his choice of Python over Ruby, which is ~2-3 sentences in the entire article (and said in a very 'this is my opinion, ymmv' way).
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#5Great write-up, and nice to see another's experiences. Obviously these are all just tips and don't all have to be followed, so I do want to point out that I disagree with the idea of paying for an instructor–at least initially.
One of the nice things about the open-source community and having a great ecosystem around is that you can hop on IRC (http://www.python.org/community/irc/) or find your way to the mailing lists and there will be at least a few very smart people overjoyed to help you learn–as long as you put in the initial effort, try the problem yourself first, and then ask for help (and be willing to listen to their advice).
Then, if you go through all of that and try really, really hard, be patient, ask for help, and still find yourself lost, maybe seeking an instructor is a good idea. I'm just saying to beginners that I wouldn't jump to that right away.
Overall, nice writeup, and thanks Mark for sharing your experiences and being willing to push your own boundaries and learn more! Yay for not falling into the abyss of managerial stagnation!
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#6The problem with Python community is, when comparing Python with Ruby, Pythonistas give almost no objective reasons to prefer Python but give many highly subjective (provoking) opinions, like the following:
1. Zen of Python. (since Ruby doesn't adhere to it, it's bad)
2. Python community is less arrogant compared to Ruby community. (painting millions of Ruby programmers with the same brush based on an IRC chat they had)
3. Google loves Python. (is that even a reason?)
4. Zed Shaw said so-and-so against Ruby/Rails which I want to believe/agree. (fan mentality)
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#7The problem with Python community is, when comparing Python with Ruby, Pythonistas give almost no objective reasons to prefer Python but give many highly subjective (provoking) opinions, like the following: 1. Zen of Python. (since Ruby doesn't adhere to it, it's bad) 2. Python community is less arrogant compared to Ruby community. (painting millions of Ruby programmers with the same brush based on an IRC chat they h…
Ruby and Python are very very close. When I initially chose Python to me it was a like a choice between chocolate ice cream and raspberry---one can't really critique something so subjective.
However as time has passed by and I have become competent at Python, I see some clear wins for Python where Ruby lags:
1. Machine Learning with PyML, et al. Python has some of the best tools for scientific programming by far.
2. Two order of magnitude improvements for numeric code using either: - NumPy - Cython - PyPy
3. I prefer Cython to integrate C/C++ code to using any form of FFI.
Yes, the cultures are different but that rarely affects beginners.
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#8The problem with Python community is, when comparing Python with Ruby, Pythonistas give almost no objective reasons to prefer Python but give many highly subjective (provoking) opinions, like the following: 1. Zen of Python. (since Ruby doesn't adhere to it, it's bad) 2. Python community is less arrogant compared to Ruby community. (painting millions of Ruby programmers with the same brush based on an IRC chat they h…
Here are the reasons I recommend Python over Ruby:
* Python is easier to learn (not much syntax)
* Easier to read (explicit vs implicit)
* Has a bigger ecosystem (more packages/libraries)
* Taught at universities so it's easier to find good programmers to help
* More research/resources going into to its development (e.g. PyPy)
* Used by more websites/companies so its easier to find jobs
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#9The problem with Python community is, when comparing Python with Ruby, Pythonistas give almost no objective reasons to prefer Python but give many highly subjective (provoking) opinions, like the following: 1. Zen of Python. (since Ruby doesn't adhere to it, it's bad) 2. Python community is less arrogant compared to Ruby community. (painting millions of Ruby programmers with the same brush based on an IRC chat they h…
Here are the reasons I recommend Python over Ruby: * Python is easier to learn (not much syntax) * Easier to read (explicit vs implicit) * Has a bigger ecosystem (more packages/libraries) * Taught at universities so it's easier to find good programmers to help * More research/resources going into to its development (e.g. PyPy) * Used by more websites/companies so its easier to find jobs And these are the online Pytho…
* Subjective
* Subjective
* False: http://modulecounts.com
* Some American universities.
* Agreed.
* Statistics please.
Re: Learn Core Python in a Week – My Way
#10The problem with Python community is, when comparing Python with Ruby, Pythonistas give almost no objective reasons to prefer Python but give many highly subjective (provoking) opinions, like the following: 1. Zen of Python. (since Ruby doesn't adhere to it, it's bad) 2. Python community is less arrogant compared to Ruby community. (painting millions of Ruby programmers with the same brush based on an IRC chat they h…
Ruby and Python are very very close. When I initially chose Python to me it was a like a choice between chocolate ice cream and raspberry---one can't really critique something so subjective. However as time has passed by and I have become competent at Python, I see some clear wins for Python where Ruby lags: 1. Machine Learning with PyML, et al. Python has some of the best tools for scientific programming by far. 2.…
All fair points. I was talking about opinionated/troll/FUD blog posts.