python is hard to learn without c

[Ken Seehof]

Now that's something I've not heard before.  Python is undisputably way easier
to learn than C++.  I can say this with no risk of starting a flame war.  I've
heard many (mostly invalid) claims about disadvantages of python, but I've never
heard anyone say it's difficult to learn.  In fact, I taught someone (with no
prior programming experience) python in one day (enough to write a small
program).  Honest.

C++ on the other hand is very difficult to learn.  There are common concepts in
C++ that trip up even the most seasoned programmer.  I have been attempting to
teach C++ to another friend of mine for a couple frustrating months.

Apparently your C++ book must be an extremely well written book indeed!  :-)
Either that or you were an expert C++ programmer in a previous life (an
interesting time paradox).

Nevertheless, I think I do know where you're coming from.  All programming
languages involve learning concepts that are foreign.  Humans have been
programming computers for less than a century and our brains simply aren't wired
for it.  It's amazing that programming is possible at all!

Here are some suggestions that might help you get started:

1. Use the interactive interpreter.  Type in examples from the book and see what
happens.  Try some variations until you understand how the example works.

2. If you are still baffled, ask questions here on this list.  You will get
several good answers within an hour or two.

3. Be patient.

jin choung wrote:

> howdy all,
>
> i programmed a bit in BASIC as a kid, had a high school PASCAL class and i
> tried to pick up python before moving on to c++.  however, i was trying to
> work my way through the book LEARNING PYTHON and while it says that there is
> no need to have prior experience in languages like c or c++, i really found
> that that was not true.
>
> anyone else feel this way?
>
> i'm currently working my way through a 24 hour c++ book and i think this is
> going to work for me.  oh, well, will be back to contribute here in a couple
> of months... in the meantime, i'll just leech valuable nuggets of wisdom
> from you guys.
>
> thanks
>
> jin

--
Ken Seehof
kens at sightreader.com
starship.python.net/crew/seehof
Hi! I'm a .signature virus! copy me into your .signature file to help me spread!


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