[Tutor] Python 2 Vs python 3

[Alan Gauld]

On 13/07/14 18:50, Joel Goldstick wrote:

> I haven't tried python 3.x yet.  The two differences that get talked
> about most are 'print' is a statement in 2.x and a function in 3.x.
> Unicode support was reworked in 3.x and so if you are working with
> non-english characters, you might lean to using 3.x

I've been using python 3 almost exclusively for the last 4 months and 
the differences are much more significant than the headlines suggest.
In particular the module structure and naming is very different - enough 
to confuse a beginner using a Python2 tutor for sure.

But there are a lot of subtle changes under the hood - extra
options in functions for example. After about a month I gave up on my 
intention to create dual version code - it was just too much work.

So 6 months ago I thought it didn't make much difference. Now I think 
its quite a big decision. If you can I'd say go with python 3. All the 
biggest libraries now have v3 support or alternatives exist.


-- 
Alan G
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.alan-g.me.uk/
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