I envy newbies

[Brett Gengler]

Nick Bower wrote:

> > Since you indicate you are a beginner, I would like to recommend to
> > you O'Reilly's Learning Python by Mark Lutz and David Ascher for
> > $23.96 plus shipping from Amazon.com.
>
> When I started out on Python maybe 1.5 years ago, there were only 2
> books available in Australia.  So thanks for mentioning this new
> "Learning Python" book - it looks more like what I would have wanted at
> the time.  But one thing - why the hell is there a rat on the cover???
> Anyone??? ;)
>
> > For a more advanced treatment O'Reilly's Programming Python is good.
>
> Have to strongly disagree there :)  This book is soooo long-winded.  I
> think the original poster said she had C++ experience, so would have
> been confronted with the same reality as me - I need to skim all
> this???  I had similar programming experience so found that this book
> just didn't cater to these needs.  I actually got up and going on the
> smaller web programming book before I bothered to buy Programming
> Python.
>
> > of these books are very good at presenting Python is an understandable
> > way.
>
> I would lean towards saying this is because Python is understandable,
> rather than Programming Python being overly creditable <:)  ie  The
> books don't need to be good when Python is as simple as it is imho.
>
> nick

I am half way done with reading(not skimming) Programming Python by Mark
Lutz .  I do have some C++  and Pascal experience, although both in a
limited form. (a couple programming books, a couple simple programs)
Although I started learning Python off the web site and had already learned
the majority of the features, I found that the book gave me a more concrete
look at the language along by supplying me with implementation ideas that I
think gave me a better feel .  Anyone who has a lot of experience with a
HLL like C++ may really not need this book (more power to you) but for the
most part it would seem like a good buy-it was for me.   I would have to
disagree that the book is long winded.  I just started reading it and it
has been very enjoyable.  It's been my experience that programming books
aren't written so you can just kick it back and read 10 chapters.   I
usually read a chapter and then devote time to goofing around and trying
out the things I just learned.  It's fun that way.   The basic functions of
the language ARE  simple --it's the implementation that can get complex
which is why I'm excited to start reading the rest of the book which deals
more on that.   I feel confident that most people could handle this book
from the beginner to the intermediate.  I'm not exactly sure if the
'learning python' book is really a necessary though.   I'd start with
'programming python.'  Between the web site and the mini-tutorial in the
'programming python' you should be just fine.