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 <[email protected]>wrote: > On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 5:09 AM, Matthew Ngaha <[email protected]> > 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? > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Tutor maillist - [email protected] > > To unsubscribe or change subscription options: > > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor > > >
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