Learn Python The Hard Way is a guide to programming that starts from the very basics. It’s one of the very few guides that I’ve seen that appreciates the hardness of the subject. I would recommend it for anyone with minimal programming experience, because it will build rock-solid fundamentals.
Yes. Hell yes. If someone is starting programming, then Learn Python the Hard Way is the best book I know of. It doesn’t swamp you with words, nor with code; it gives you some stuff to type in at the Python prompt, and figure out as you go. It’s like a series of puzzles that are each really easy to solve, and once you get through them, you’ll be thinking like a programmer.
I’ve taught an intro to programming class, and seen where the problems are, and beheld the glaring deficiencies in most textbooks. LPtHW is a Right Thing. It boils with rightness.
I’m a novice at programming, and I agree with wmorgan and sketerpot.
I’m halfway through LPTHW, working on the project of making a text-based adventure game, and find it rather fun. Concurrently, I have been taking an introductory class on Java programming, and 9 weeks in, the class is still trying to catch up to the book.
Professional programmer here.
Learn Python The Hard Way is a guide to programming that starts from the very basics. It’s one of the very few guides that I’ve seen that appreciates the hardness of the subject. I would recommend it for anyone with minimal programming experience, because it will build rock-solid fundamentals.
Yes. Hell yes. If someone is starting programming, then Learn Python the Hard Way is the best book I know of. It doesn’t swamp you with words, nor with code; it gives you some stuff to type in at the Python prompt, and figure out as you go. It’s like a series of puzzles that are each really easy to solve, and once you get through them, you’ll be thinking like a programmer.
I’ve taught an intro to programming class, and seen where the problems are, and beheld the glaring deficiencies in most textbooks. LPtHW is a Right Thing. It boils with rightness.
You can buy a hard copy, or read it online (PDF).
I’m a novice at programming, and I agree with wmorgan and sketerpot.
I’m halfway through LPTHW, working on the project of making a text-based adventure game, and find it rather fun. Concurrently, I have been taking an introductory class on Java programming, and 9 weeks in, the class is still trying to catch up to the book.