[Pythonmac-SIG] Good way for beginner to get started with Python?

[Zachary Pincus]

Consider also Processing (not python, but a learn-to-program environment that feels a little like a modern LOGO), or the not-dissimilar Python-based NodeBox environment. There's a lot less filesystem bother (etc.), and I think that both have built-in IDEs, so both should be more lightweight than jumping into a "real" python environment.

Zach


On Apr 7, 2013, at 11:43 AM, John Velman wrote:

> Thanks to both Chris and Matt.  I've been thinking somewhat along the lines
> Chris suggested, and will probably do that, or some kind of step by step.
> Even thinking of looking into PyGames myself (in line behind a bunch of
> other things -- it might come in front of learning OCaml).  And thanks to
> Matt for the learnpython and codecademy links.
> 
> Barry's reference to the Coursea course looks particularly good, but the
> timing may be bad, since it starts at the last month of the school year.
> 
> Thanks again,
> 
> John V.
> 
> On Sun, Apr 07, 2013 at 06:34:05AM -0500, Matt Ambrogi wrote:
>> John,
>> I agree with Chris, some setup/installation is required basically
>> everywhere.  To get down to zero of that, you might have to look at some
>> other online tools, as you might have seen when you were googling.  Two
>> that could be worth a look are:   http://www.learnpython.org/    and
>> http://www.codecademy.com/tracks/python   as they seem to check at least
>> one of your boxes (get learning fast).
>> 
>> Offline, on my mac, the closest I get to your space (lightest weight, least
>> setup/config, least ide learning required yet with some support) is a
>> download of the free TextWrangler ide.  One can have it up and running
>> quickly and be off and coding python.  It does nothing to help build games.
>> 
>> regards,  -Matt
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Sat, Apr 6, 2013 at 7:13 PM, Chris Weisiger <cweisiger at msg.ucsf.edu>wrote:
>> 
>>> My recommendation would be to go with PyGame, but as you note this does
>>> require some installation work. Unfortunately as soon as you start getting
>>> into being a software developer, the kid gloves come off and you have to
>>> learn a lot about how software works. I'm not aware of any one-stop
>>> user-friendly installer that will get you up and running in Python with an
>>> eye towards games. My best advice is to do the installation for him.
>>> 
>>> -Chris
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Sat, Apr 6, 2013 at 4:22 PM, John Velman <velman at cox.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Reply-To:
>>>> 
>>>> I'm looking for a way to get a bright (of course) high school student
>>>> started with Python.  He has a recent iMac. He is pretty computer
>>>> literate,
>>>> and knows the names of some computer languages, but no experience in
>>>> programming, and little experience with text editing per se. He is
>>>> particularly interested in games. Is at a stage of trying to decide what
>>>> he
>>>> is going to do in college, and was asking me about getting started with
>>>> computer programming.
>>>> 
>>>> I recommend Python as a good starting language. It would be nice if there
>>>> was a simple IDE that works with python without a lot of setting up
>>>> options, moving things around in the file system, and so on. I don't want
>>>> to throw him into Vim or Emacs.
>>>> 
>>>> I'd like him to get to something interesting (GUI, very simple games)
>>>> soon.
>>>> I showed him some examples from Pythonista on my iPad, and he was
>>>> impressed
>>>> at what could be done in ~ 100 lines of Python.
>>>> 
>>>> For now, it would be really nice if he could work with the Python already
>>>> on his iMac, and minimal other setup. Maybe the TKInter that comes with
>>>> the
>>>> iMac would also be a place to start GUI. It looks like installing
>>>> TextWrangler might be a good choice for an editor.  Or just plain
>>>> TextEdit?
>>>> 
>>>> I've looked at PyGames, and done a little other googling, and every place
>>>> I've looked says install this, install that, use Home Brew, use Ports,
>>>> don't use Ports, be sure and set such and such an option, be sure and get
>>>> a
>>>> version greater than x.y...Things that I might do, but I've been at this,
>>>> at least part time, more or less forever.
>>>> 
>>>> We need something than one can just do, and then learn while doing. Well,
>>>> something Mac like.
>>>> 
>>>> (I myself haven't used Python much for a while, am trying to develop one
>>>> good app in Objective C on an hour or so a day.  I use the Xcode IDE, Vim
>>>> outside of Xcode. Am personally a dynasaur, am mailing this via Mutt.)
>>>> 
>>>> Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
>>>> 
>>>> John V.
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>>> 
>>> 
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