I think Python is a great first language. But what you first learn is
probably not enough to make TG easy. You may not even "get" the Object
Oriented programming, but you have to start somewhere. I recently
encountered someone who was smart, but frustrated that he read a Python
book, and there were still some things in Python that he didn't
understand. Well, after three years, I still have that problem, too!
The O'Reilly books are all good. The smaller "Learning Python" will
get you started and if there is a topic where you need more info to
code, then the big book "Programming Python" will probably take care of
things.
In any spare time read "Python in a Nutshell" and "The Standard Python
Library"
Python is one of the few languages you can really enjoy knowing
forwards and backwards.
It's annoying that none of these books is written with 2.3 or 2.4 in
mind. ("Learning Python" will essentially say "This feature is now in
Python, for info go to python.org"
Gee, thanks.)
For that 2.4 info, you may need to look at articles at python.org or
work with the ORA Python Pocket Reference which covers up to 2.4 (You
could spend 2 days or more digesting all the information in this little
book). Once you know the info in the Pocket Reference, then you'll
recognize any failings in Python books that were written for
earlier releases.
"Python Essential Reference" by David Beazley is a big favorite of
Pythonistas.
I like it, but the print is so small, and then it seems to get even
smaller during an all-night programming session, just when I need it
the most!
