Choosing a language

[Gene Chiaramonte]

The only trouble you will have if you start with python is when you try to
learn other languages. I think you will find them cumbersome. You will
always be thinking, "I could do this with 5 lines of Python code, jez!"


> -----Original Message-----
> From: python-list-admin at python.org
> [mailto:python-list-admin at python.org]On Behalf Of Doug Stanfield
> Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2000 2:48 PM
> To: 'Patrick Cooper'; python-list at python.org
> Subject: RE: Choosing a language
>
>
> Python is an excellent first language (or second or fourteenth for that
> matter). I found putting together some cgi programs for the first
> time easy
> enough.  I might have found doing cgi programming as my first Python
> programs very frustrating though.
>
> I'd suggest if you aren't familiar with the programming process start by
> working through as many tutorials as you can. Follow the links on
> the Python
> home page <http://www.python.org/>, --> 'Introductions to Python'
> <http://www.python.org/doc/Intros.html> 'Introductions to Python
> programming
> for non-programmers' where there are three currently listed.  I
> consistently
> hear good things about Alan Gaulds tutorial for the complete beginner.
>
> I find the greatest strength of Python to be the interactive interpreter.
> In essence it is a sandbox to play in to try things out.  There
> is no other
> way to learn to program than to write programs, but writing them can be
> frustrating if you can't get into the middle of the execution and find out
> what those commands you wrote are really doing.  The interpreter
> is the tool
> for that.  Almost without fail if I can't make a program work I'll try a
> sequence of commands in the interpreter that show me the problem.  While
> you're learning to program, this instant feedback can make all the
> difference in speeding you to comprehension.
>
> Trying to jump right into programming cgi puts a couple of layers between
> you and the results.  I think the only effective way to do it as
> a beginner
> would be to have the interpreter available to try out and verify your
> programming ideas before you try to call them using a web browser.
>
> When you do get started learning, another great resource is the
> Python Tutor
> mailing list.  Check out
<http://www.python.org/psa/MailingLists.html#tutor>
to subscribe.  There you can get good direction on the how to program
questions as well as the Python questions.

I'd suggest you spend two weeks to a month absorbing all you can before you
start trying to do the cgi stuff.  When you do, a good resource is
<http://starbase.neosoft.com/~claird/comp.lang.python/web_python.html> which
among other things contains a link to 'Writing CGI Programs in Python'
<http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/Python/CGI/> which answers most of your
'since I want to focus on CGI, what would be the best resources to check
out' question.

Good luck,
-Doug-

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Patrick Cooper [mailto:future at dotstar.net]
> Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2000 7:20 AM
> To: python-list at python.org
> Subject: Choosing a language
>
>
> I want to start learning computer programming and from what I
> have found so
> far I have chosen to start with Python.  I am going to be
> focusing on CGI
> first but eventually want to work with desktop applicates.
> Python seems to
> be the most versitle and easiest to learn.  Before I go in
> any more depth
> does anyone think I should start with a different language?  I want to
> eventually learn C, but think Python is the best place to start.
>
> Also, since I want to focus on CGI, what would be the best
> resources to
> check out?  Anything besides what's listed in  the CGI Tools
> section of the
> Python web site?
>
>
>
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