In my last two posts I discussed how to pick a programming language to learn and went on to describe some great resources to get started with Ruby.
Python is another great programming language to start out with. Developed in the late-80s, Python was developed with ease of use in mind. Similar to Ruby, its code can be read and understood in English.
One note, Python recently released a new version, 3.0 but I recommend that you stick with learning Python 2.6. There is more information, more resources and more libraries1 for 2.6.
Here are a few (free) resources to spark your interest and get you started:
Invent your own Computer Games with Python
Non-Programmers Tutorial for Python 2.6
Awesome Sauce: An excellent introduction to Python v2.6. Clear, straightforward instruction and sample problems (with solutions available) to test your knowledge.
Awesome Sauce: If you’re short on time and want to get the basic concepts of programming. This is a really short and sweet introduction to understanding programming by using examples in Python.
1. A word on what libraries are and why they’re useful: imagine going to your local library, picking 100 books on math, uploading them into your brain via some newfangled technology and instantaneously being able to solve any math problem! A “library” for a computer language is similar — when you install certain libraries while working on your code it immediately makes Python smarter and helps you skip a lot of manual work. Python comes with a standard library built in, but there are many other kinds of external libraries that Python developers write and share that are not part of the standard library.
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