[Tutor] Why I'm learning Python (OT and long)

[alan.gauld@bt.com]

> wondered how do people learn all this stuff about how the operating
> systems work, and file locking and sockets and servers and ...

Gradually ;-)

Seriously you learn it as you need it.
Although my Elect Eng degree included intro programming
which included file handling and dynamic data structures
and some program design and validation. I also did a course
on Assembler programming which included stuff on serial 
comms and I/O details. Then my final year project required 
some networking stuff and also included a course on OS design
- so threading, scheduling, and yes, file locking.

Then I left college and my first project was a multi 
processor PBX using a real time OS and designed using state 
machines. My next project had a big database under it so I 
had to learn SQL. I moved onto a billing project and came 
across COBOL and the joys of batch processing.

You get the idea? Its taken a long combination of school 
and many projects. And still I feel like a "Jack of all 
trades but a master of none"!

And things like crypto and hard core graphics programming 
are still on my "must take time to learn" list...

One of the great things about the IT industry is you never 
really "know it all" and even when you think you might be 
getting close along comes something like the Web to add 
a whole new dimension!

Accept that you'll never know it all and just enjoy the 
learning experience. It makes for an easier life!

Alan G