[Tutor] basic question ...

[Ravi Kondamuru]

Thanks a lot for all that info. I am going to start with the doc/lib index
for an overview and dir looks like a good runtime help command.
Ravi.

On 10/27/06, Danny Yoo <dyoo at hkn.eecs.berkeley.edu> wrote:
>
>
>
> On Fri, 27 Oct 2006, Ravi Kondamuru wrote:
>
> > How does one figure all the builtin libraries/ classes that python
> > supports?
> >
> > For example if I want to sort a list of names, I would normally think of
> > implementing the sorting routine in C. I am just beginning to learn
> > python. It looks like there is a rich set available builtin libraries.
> > So, is there one place where I can look to figure out I dont have to
> > write afresh.
>
>
> Hi Ravi,
>
> As with any reference material, it's a good idea to try the "index" of the
> relevant documentation.  You might not always find what you're looking
> for, but it can be effective.
>
> In this particular case, you've guessed that there might be something in
> the Library that might help you.  If you search for "sort" in the Library
> Reference:
>
>      http://www.python.org/doc/lib/genindex.html
>
> You should see an index entry labeled "sort() (list method)".  Looking up
> that index entry should bring you to a page describing the methods on
> lists:
>
>      http://www.python.org/doc/lib/typesseq-mutable.html
>
> So looking at the reference is useful if you already know what you're
> looking for.  In this case, yes, there is a built-in sort.  Even better,
> there's a dedicated guide to using Python's sort functionality:
>
>      http://wiki.python.org/moin/HowTo/Sorting
>
>
>
> If you want to get an overview of the extent of Python's library, try the
> table of contents:
>
>      http://www.python.org/doc/lib/
>
> There's a heck of a lot of stuff there, so asking someone to memorize it
> is ridiculous.  Still, it can help to scan through it sometimes to get a
> better idea of what services the Library provides.  I've often been amazed
> at the gems in there.  ("bisect?  Wow, I don't have to code my own binary
> search anymore!)
>
> Another good way to learn the library is to look at what libraries other
> people use: you can read other people's code.  For example, the Python
> Cookbook provides a good source of programs that you can browse:
>
>      http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Python/Cookbook/
>
>
> Finally, well, ask other people.  You've done so on Tutor, so that's a
> good start.  Many of us are happy to act as librarians to point you in
> some direction, and we usually aim not to mislead.  *grin*
>
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