[Tutor] Recommendation For A Complete Noob

Dave Angel davea at davea.name
Mon Feb 10 00:45:00 CET 2014


 Altrius <altrius13 at gmail.com> Wrote in message:
> Hi,
> 
> I’m completely new to programming in general and everything I have read so far has pointed me to Python. I’ll put this another way: All I know is that a programming language is a medium for a human to tell a computer what to do. After that I’m kinda lost. I was just hoping to get some input as to where I might start. I’m not completely computer illiterate but you can reply to me as if I am. What should I work on learning first. I’m good at doing my own research and teaching myself but I need to know what I’m researching and where to start. Any advice would be VERY much appreciated.
>
Welcome to the mailing list.  Learning python can be as slow as
 you like or as fast as you're able. 

As you get stuck on concepts,  you can post questions,  and some
 volunteers usually will have suggestions to help.  But you'll
 have to learn to provide your constraints with your question.  In
 this case you are probably constrained by whatever operating
 system you run. For now I'll assume Windows.

When I was using Windows,  I found the Active Python version a
 good choice.  It includes most things you don't know you want
 yet.

www.activestate.com/activepython/downloads

   then pick 3.3.2.0 and Windows installer. Download and run the
 msi file.

As for docs, see python.org. That has links to the whole site. 
 Start with the left side,  Quick Links-3.3.  Be sure you're
 following the approximate version you downloaded.  There was a
 fairly big break between 2.7 and 3.x

On the documentation page, you'll see many parts.  The tutorial is
 the next logical step, but be aware all these other parts exist. 
 Eventually you'll need the library reference,  to expand on some
 concept the tutorial brought up. The language reference will be
 very tough going at your stage.

There are other tutorials out there,  including Alan Gauld ' s 
   http:// www.alan-g.me.uk/

But if you get a book or tutorial,  make sure the version matches
 approximately,  as above. 

> 
> 


-- 
DaveA



More information about the Tutor mailing list