[Tutor] obfusciated python

[alan.gauld@bt.com]

> of me called "Learn to Program Using Python". It's got the 
> same mumbo jumbo : "You set it by opening C:\AUTOEXE.BAT 
> in Notepad and adding the line SET..."

Yeah, but it also says a pre-requisite to read the book is 
that you know the basics of operating a computer and if not 
to look up things in your computer's manual... Setting 
environment variables comes under that heading. :-)

> I also must have the first edition because it's full of 
> typos and errors, almost unusable. 

Hmm, I wouldn't go that far, most are simple spelling 
mistakes and minor layout errors during typesetting 
- Warning to wannabe authors: Python is much more 
sensitive to that than other programming languages 
because of not having block markers:

int hello(){
   printf('hello world\n');
  return 0;
}

is a minor typo in a C book but the equivalent 
one-space error is a disaster in a Python book! :-(

However the errata page at:

http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld/book/

Should list and fix most (all?) of them.

> Lucky for me I found "How to think like..."  on a website.

Yes that's a good resource too although it doesn't cover 
as much material as my tutor does (especially the book 
version).

> This is my first post and I've made it up to filters and 
> strings in my studies. Next will be objects.

Feel free to ask questions we're all here to help.

Alan g.
Author of the 'Learning to Program' web site
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld