How did you learn Python?

[Jeffrey Maitland]

Well I would suggest the Python in a Nutshell and the Python Cookbook  both 
by O'Reilly as references.  They are great for a desktop reference and I 
check them first before I google/search else where for answers.  Being they 
are reference books they or more on aide then a teaching device however I 
have learned from those books how to use certain standard classes, such as 
the re class for example. 

Hope this helps you out. 

Jeff 

Shawn Milo writes: 

> I was just wondering what the best books were for learning Python. 
> 
> Which books are good for getting started, and which should be saved for
> later, or or not useful except as a reference for the learned? 
> 
> I have a decent programming background in VB, JavaScript, VBScript,
> Net.Data (IBM's macro language), regular expressions, and a teensy bit of
> Perl. My point is, I don't want something that is going to explain the basic
> programming concepts, but does give a good introduction to Python-specific
> things. Then, once I know how to get the job done, I would like a good book 
> or two at the intermediate to advanced level, to learn how to write really good code. 
> 
> I understand that resources such as this list and Google searches have all the answers,
> but it seems like a more structured tool, such as a book or formal class, would be
> of great benefit to me. The other languages I have used were picked up because of the
> need to get a job done. As a result, I am able to get the job done, but any experienced
> coder can show me six more efficient ways to do what I'm doing. I'm new to
> Python, and I want to do this one right. I believe that Python will be
> around for a good, long time, and it matches my values as an Open-Source/Linux
> supporter, while having relevance in the Windows and Mac world, as well. 
> Plus, it looks like it was designed extremely well, and I'm excited about the 
> principles I've read about. 
> 
> Thanks,
> Shawn
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