On 10/18/05, Kent Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > David Stotijn wrote: > > Hi, > > > > I'm planning on buying a book to help me learn Python. Some of the books > > I'm considering are a few years old and based on an older version of > > Python (e.g. 2.3). > > Is it wise to buy a book based on an older version? Are the principles > > and methods used in those books outdated by now? > > 2.3 is not that old. The basics of Python change slowly, especially the > beginner-level stuff. The later versions introduce refinements, convenience > features and new, advanced stuff; they don't generally break much or change > the overall 'feel' of Python. I don't know if there are any books out yet > that cover 2.4. > > > Ideally, the book I'm looking for has some "best practice" guidelines > > and alot of example code. > > > > Do you have any tips? > > I like _Learning Python_
david, as others have said, for beginners, the version of Python that's used has less impact than for more advanced users. look for any book that focuses on teaching you the language rather than just being a tutorial for the features in the latest releases. if you are completely new to programming, as many are here, then the recommendation for Dawson's Python for the Absolute Beginner seems to be a very popular choice. i recently picked up the book to evaluate to use as the textbook for my intro to programming class, but haven't had a chance to really go through it yet. it seems to have surpassed the popular Learn to Program Using Python by Alan Gauld, which is slightly dated but also a good choice. there is also the How to Think like a Computer Scientist series, which aims at teaching programming to high schoolers, and is available for a number of languages: Python, Java, C++, and Logo... see http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCS Dawson's book targets games. there are other intro to programming books on my shelf with alternative targets: Python Programming by John Zelle is gearsed towards learning Computer Science as an undergraduate, and Mark Guzdial's Intro to Computing and Programming in Python has a graphics/multimedia approach. and on the side, i'd recommend Chris Fehily's Python visual quickstart guide because it has lots of pictures and serves as a good reference for a beginner. books such as Learning Python and Core Python Programming are geared towards those who already know how to program. some have noted that Learning Python targets C programmers more than others, but Core Python doesn't assume anything other than knowing at least one other high-level language. and i *definitely* use Core Python when teaching my standard Python courses. ;-) i'd suggest taking a look through some of the titles discussed on this thread in a bookstore if possible to see what you like, and also check out the reviews on Amazon as well as Python book reviews online. hope this helps! --wesley - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Core Python Programming", Prentice Hall, (c)2006,2001 http://corepython.com wesley.j.chun :: wescpy-at-gmail.com cyberweb.consulting : silicon valley, ca http://cyberwebconsulting.com _______________________________________________ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
