Python is easy and powerful programming language with elegant syntax and object-oriented approach to technology. It is cross-platform, as it runs on Windows, Linux/Unix, and Mac OS X. Python is widely used for variety of development solutions thanks to the OSI-approved open source license for both language and its extensive library. It is highly productive and cost-effective, as it allows to build applications with diversity of functions and on most platforms.
Nowadays learning Python is an easy process due to rich base of books, tutorials and source code examples. The most efficient way is to find the right source of information according to your programming knowledge and skills.
Python for beginners
There is a need for comprehensive introduction to the Python programming language, starting from beginners with no previous programming experience. Tutorials usually start with the basics like installing and using Python, propose several documentation sources for getting help. Such tutorials don’t get into the depth of too technical or too theoretical programming, but can teach how to work with such language and you will start to write simple commands. We can recommend Wikibooks’ Non-Programmers Tutorial for Python.
If you want more interactive way of studying, Python course on coursera will be an ideal option. This course will be useful for those who have little to no experience in work with programming language but have a lot of enthusiasm. The main method for learning the course material will be to work through mini-projects in Python. They will involve real, but simple programming and make the process fun. Mini-projects will mainly be concentrated on building games, e.g. Pong, Blackjack, and Asteroids. New browser-based programming environment will make development process simple and easy-to learn.
Dive Into Python is one of the most detailed and well written material on Python. It starts with the basics and goes on, giving good advice and tips for real work. Each code in the book is thoroughly examined, repeated in different uses and examples, reused in later sections. Moreover, readers always have opportunity to use their own minds and intuition to solve given tasks. This book will give you not only the feeling of working with the popular language, but will help to develop solid ground for profound knowledge and techniques.
Learnpython.org's interactive Python tutorial is guidance for those who want to learn Python, despite being acquainted with the other programming languages or not. There are both basic and advanced tutorials in several languages that cover wide set of Python functions and capabilities. What is the most interesting - there are interactive windows that will allow you to insert your own Python code and to view the output results.
Also very popular book for the Python learners is Learn Python the Hard Way. According to the author, practical study is the best, so you need to go through each exercise, type it manually several times to have an understanding of each command. It may be difficult at first, but only the same type exercise will allow you to get your hand in the programming.
Google's Python Class is a free class for people with a little bit of programming experience. It includes written materials, lecture videos, and lots of code exercises to practice Python coding. Doing the first exercises you will work with basic Python concepts like strings and lists. The later exercises are full programs dealing with text files, processes, and http connections.
Python for Professionals
If you have experience in programming with other languages, this official Python Tutorial for Programmers is the best option. The most commonly used features are described here. It is quite abundant material. It starts from work with simple numbers, strings and lists, and continues further till you will be able to write and read Python-based programs and modules.
For those who are familiar enough with Python and are interested in web development, there is great book that introduces Django framework for this purposes. With The Django Book you will be able to build web development solutions using previous knowledge of Python on new Django base.
PyGame Documentation is the official documentation of PyGame developers. Pygame is a cross platfrom library especially designed to simplify the process of writing multimedia software, such as games, in Python. This documentation is the best source of information if you have enough Python expertise and want to go straight to building games.
We hope this article was useful for you and contained material that will help you to get more acquainted with Python and its application in the modern software.