[Tutor] newbie Questions

[Matthew Ngaha]

Thanks guys, i didnt think i would get so many kind and helpful responses.
I am so grateful:x. I have read each and every reply and i am now very
confident in the direction i need to take. Everything is a lot clearer now.
Even though i'm new to programming, i am very intrigued by it and want to
dedicate a good portion of my time to it, and by reading the replies, i
know ive made the right choice in choosing Python over PHP:) To answer a
question on what was more important, a job that pays low, or to learn good
clean coding.. My answer is I want to devote my time in it for a love of
programming and to gain a deeper understanding on it. the money part is not
as important:)The book i am currently reading is "Python Programming for
the absolute beginner". I will save this mail in a special place on my hard
drive:) i really appreciate it guys:)


On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 4:16 PM, Alexandre Zani <alexandre.zani at gmail.com>wrote:

> On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 5:09 AM, Matthew Ngaha <chigga101 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Hi all. I'm new to Python and Programming in general. I've started out
> with
> > Python for beginners, and so far so good. My friend who i might add, is
> not
> > a programmer but has had experience in the world of programming (i dont
> know
> > how much but he claims a lot), has told me to forget about Python and
> focus
> > on PHP. He knows i studied a HTML and CSS course and told me for the
> > direction i'm going in, Python is not needed and won't give me all the
> > options or variety PHP can. Thats he's opinion, i'd rather make my own
> mind
> > up, but its lead me to these questions out of curiousity:
> >
> > a) at this early stage i dont exactly know what web options are:(  but is
> > Python limited when it comes to matters relating to Web
> options/developing?
>
> PHP will get you from 0 to website by the first page of your first
> tutorial. That's very attractive if you're interested in web
> programming. Most likely, if you use Python, you'll learn how to use
> the language more generally, before learning how to apply the language
> to a website. However, in my experience (I learned PHP a long time ago
> and Python a few years ago) Python gives you the most reward. I've
> used Python for website building, but also lots of other useful
> applications.
>
> > b) Are there better options, or can Python get the job done as good as
> any?
>
> It depends upon the job. If you plan on work as a programmer/software
> engineer, you will need to learn many languages. Yes, hammers can be
> used to put in screws and you could probably figure out how to use a
> screwdriver to put in a nail, but really, you're going to be
> successful if you have both a hammer and a screwdriver in your
> toolbox. Java, C, Python, C++, each have their own uses. However, (and
> this may be a biased assessment) PHP is more like a hammer with its
> head removed and a screwdriver duct-taped on it. Sure, you can use it,
> but it's not going to be a pleasant experience.
>
> The languages which I would say are closest to Python in terms of
> where they are put to use are Perl and Ruby. My advice is this: give
> them each a shot (the first couple pages of a tutorial shouldn't take
> more than a few hours) and see which makes you feel the most
> comfortable.
>
> > c) after completing and understanding a beginner's book, would i be at
> > intermediate level, or still below?
> > d) Would i need a more advanced tutorial, what do you advise after
> finishing
> > a beginners course?
>
> Code, code, code. Programming is a practice. You'll learn the most by
> doing and researching solutions for specific problems you are
> encountering. Then, read blog posts, watch PyCon videos, look at the
> mailing list etc... Just expose yourself to the language and community
> and learn through osmosis.
>
> >
> > e) And finally, are there other essential things i must learn after
> Python?
> > i heard Django is important?
>
> Django is just one way to do Python web development. It's hugely
> useful for some things and terribly useless for others. There are
> plenty of other ways to do web development.
>
> > f) is Django the equivelent to PHP's MySql?
>
> As plenty of people have said, Django is a way to make websites while
> MySQL is a database system. You can actually use MySQL with Django.
>
> >
> > You dont have to answer all questions. Just answering one would help me
> > greatly in my future decisions, as i want to commit fully to the right
> > programming language.
> >
> > since this isnt a forum, how can i thank everyone for helping?
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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