[Tutor] self-learning Python

[Kent Johnson]

Emad Nawfal wrote:
> On Sun, Mar 9, 2008 at 8:16 AM, Julia <midnightjulia at gmail.com 
> <mailto:midnightjulia at gmail.com>> wrote:
>     To be honest I truly dislike the Dawson book. I wouldn't recommend
>     it to anyone. It's lacks technical clarity, examples and has a messy
>     index. I'm going to sell my example asap.

I'm not sure what kind of clarity you want. To be sure Dawson is not 
nearly as precise and comprehensive as Learning Python, for example, but 
I think the more casual approach is better for a complete beginner.

ISTM Dawson is written almost entirely as a series of extended examples, 
I'm really surprised that you say it lacks examples.

> When I started learning Python, I had had no programming background 
> whatsoever. It was Michael Dawson's book that got me off the ground. I 
> then read another book "Python programming: an introduction to computer 
> science", and things began to make sense to me.

I almost mentioned that one too. Python for Dummies might also be a good 
choice but I haven't seen that.

O'Reilly is coming out with a book Head First Programming that uses 
Python but it isn't scheduled to be published until May.

Kent