On Sep 13, 5:59 pm, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Michael R. Copeland) wrote:
> I've decided that Python is a language/environment I'd like to learn
> (I've been a professional programmer for 45+ years), but I really don't
> know where and how to start! I have a number of books - and am buying
> some more - but because of the bewildering number of after-market
> packages, environments, and add-ons, I am really quite perplexed about
> starting. 8<{{
> Yes, I could fire up the interactive mode and play with some
> statements...but I consider that sort of thing for programming neophytes
> or experimenting with specific issues. First, I want to develop a
> simple Windows application, and because of the plethora of "stuff" the
> Python world offers, I don't know where to begin.
> For example, what basic, easy-to-use interface might I start with to
> build a simple text file parsing and analysis program? That is, I'd
> like to start with a simple Windows shell that prompts for a file name,
> processes it, and then displays some result.
> I am certainly impressed with the apparent experience and openness of
> the regular players here, but the discussions here (and in
> c.l.p.announce) truly presume knowledge and experience with Python I
> don't yet have. Yes, for even a very experienced programmer, entering
> the Python world is very daunting - but I want to get started.
> Please advise. TIA
Michael,
I suggest starting with Python's core documentation. Its rather well
written and contains many examples. If nothing else, a thorough
review of the Library reference may help you evaluate the
"after-market packages, environments, and add-ons" you describe.
http://docs.python.org/tut/tut.html (Tutorial)
http://docs.python.org/lib/lib.html (Library Reference)
http://docs.python.org/ref/ref.html (Language Reference)
The simple text parsing and analysis program you are considering seems
unlikely to require either "Extending and Embedding" or the Python/C
API, but if you find yourself drawn to either topic I again suggest
starting with the core documentation.
http://docs.python.org/ext/ext.html (Extending and Embedding)
http://docs.python.org/api/api.html (Python/C API)
You may also find it useful to examine others' programs. The Python
Package Index and ActiveState's Python Cookbook are both excellent
resources.
http://cheeseshop.python.org/pypi (Package Index)
http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Python/Cookbook/
Every new Python user should read David Goodger's "Idiomatic Python"
tutorial.
http://python.net/~goodger/projects/pycon/2007/idiomatic/handout.html
I've benefited greatly from HOWTOs available at A.M. Kuchling's
website.
http://www.amk.ca/python/howto/
Be sure to consider the optparse and cmd modules if you decide to
develop the simple shell you've described.
I hope this helps,
Brandon
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