[Tutor] Total Programming Newbie

[Anthony Beaman]

Hi! I'm beginning to learn programming via Python. I'm using the Windows
version along with the "24 Hours" book. Do you have any tips on learning
programming? I've searched the net for general programming tips and I've
found just a few. From what I've read, I should use a book (material), study
the code of others (copy? Make changes? Improvise?), and do lots of
practice. If this is correct, how do I go about this? For example, I can put
in 2-3 hours a day (more on the weekends). How should I use my time? Should
I use the book for an hour or so and then use the remaining time to code?
Should I look over existing code later after I've gone through some books
and gotten more knowledge? How should I use my practice sessions? Right now,
I'm merely going over my exercises and examples and making changes to them
(incorporating what I know; sorta like improvising). Is this ok? Thanks!