[Edu-sig] Re: easy for beginners, even children

[David Handy]

On Tue, 13 Apr 2004, Daniel Ajoy wrote:

> David H. wrote:
> 
> > It was valuable feedback that he said Python seems "something too big too
> > learn now". 
> > 
> > I think that there is a core of essential Python features that are easy to
> > learn and can be used to construct fun games and programs quickly. That
> > core is what I focus on in the book I'm writing. I think that the core of
> > Python is easier to learn than awk or bash, and at least as easy as logo.
> > But that's *my* opinion, and my opinion is not important. It's the
> > beginner's opinion that matters.
> > 
> > Daniel, would you care to share with us what makes it seem like a big 
> > project to learn Python? I am interested from the standpoint of making my 
> > book better for beginners.
> > 
> > Thanks in advance,
> > David H.
> 
> I think it has more to do with my personality: I like to travel light and
> carry with me only small but powerful tools, not big and do-it-all tools.
> 
> These are a couple of things that make me think Python might be something 
> too big for me:
> 
> * How many IDEs does it have?
> 
> * lambda expressions vs list comprehensions vs regular loops 
> 
> * There is a new thing now, I don't remember the name (continuations?)
> 
> * Does it have a distinction between symbols and strings?
> 
> * How big is the installer now (10MB?)
> 
> * the lib directory has 318 files

Thank you for your response. Other than the distinction between symbols
and strings, I too consider the above points to be symptoms of "bigness".  

I try to make Python look smaller to the beginner by addressing some of
those issues (not teaching non-essential features, using a subset of the
standard library, supplying Python on a CD with the book so they don't
have to download it, etc.)

The new thing you are referring to is probably generators. They're cool, 
but not on the beginner's must-learn-first list.

It's good to get some "outside" perspective, although you refer to enough
Python to make me think you've at least played with it some.