Random map files and annotations: Python

[PvK]

My co-worker Jeff offers:

There appears to be a new edition of O'Reilly's "Learning Python", that is update for Python 2.3. http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/lpython2/

Overstock.com seems to have the best price
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....PROD_ID=625685

[Gandalf Parker]

I have shelves and shelves of OReilly books. I dont recommend them for learning. On any new subject I get a yellow "for Dummies" book first. Those are great books. Even if all it does is convince me that I already knew more than I thought on the subject its a good start. (never get the orange "for Idiots" books)

In-between, a SAMs book is good for learning. QUE is great. WAITE is abit heavy but good.

OReilly you get Last. In my opinion its alot of help but only if you already know the subject. Plus its impressive on the bookshelf for those who know what an OReilly book is.

[PvK]

You could use the tutorial on the web at first, and a book like the O'Reilly for a reference and to figure out more details.

PvK

[Gandalf Parker]

This is a FUN site. Anyone who has more than one programming language, or wants to, can have a good time here.
http://www.99-bottles-of-beer.net/

It shows the code for doing that song in 621 different programming Languages. It does alot in my opinion toward showing the difference between the efficient/good/marketable Languages and the ones that I can actually learn to produce something with now.

[PvK]

Hehe. Interesting.

By the way, another friend recommends a different Python book, although he says it is further in the serious/reference direction rather than the learning direction. There is still the good web tutorial, though:

My pal Paul wrote:

IMO the 'Learning Python' book is not as good as the 'Programming Python' book. As the title suggests, the learning book is more of an introduction to Python whereas the programming book provides a deeper and broader coverage. I'd spend the bucks for the 'Programming Python' book. There's a second edition of it out too, although it looks like it covers only Python 2.0.

PvK

[Gandalf Parker]

I have too much hacker attitude. I never could get thru something like a SAMs book "Learn ////// in 21 Days"

For me the best books are a quick-ref I can browse thru and say "ok I think I understand how alot of those would be used". Then something like an OReilly Cookbook full of code snippets. Finally something like a "///// Hacks" book such as OReilly puts out.

Interesting note on Python. I see where the geneology tree shows it as an offshoot of ABC which was considered to be a replacement for BASIC. Maybe I should look at it again

[PvK]

Ya Python is definitely something for hackers to check out. A very laid back syntax.

PvK