Learning Python...

[poltr1]

For my next assignment, I need to learn the scripting language Python. I have enough experience in Perl and Java that I think I should be able to pick it up quickly. I picked up a copy of Python In A Nutshell from Half Price Books, and Learning Python at Borders yesterday. As popular as O'Reilly books are, my experience is that many of them are written as reference manuals instead of tutorials. (Especially the Nutshell books.)

From what I've seen of the language so far, Python is object-oriented, easy to understand, and makes programming fun. It'll be really fun if I can use Eclipse to write Python code. (So far, the frontrunner is PyDev.)

If I remember correctly, I'll also be doing some web front-end stuff, like HTML, Javascript, and CSS.

Comments

[fuzzyvanman.livejournal.com]

Let me know if there's anything I can help with. Python is my favorite language. It may take a bit to get used to.
Some thoughts:

If you are like me, significant whitespace will bug you to the core for about a week. Then you get used to it.

Use the interpreter to play and try code snippets.

Don't try to write C or Java code in Python.

The functional aspects are key. Learn to think functionally. Learn to think in terms of dictionaries and lists.

The Python newsgroup (comp.lang.python) is very helpful for newbies.

Free book, not too bad: http://www.diveintopython.org/

My best reference: "Python Essential Reference"

I'll see if I can dig up some other things for you.