Reddit reviews Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming

I'm working my way through Python Crash Course right now and recommend it. It starts from basics but doesn't treat the reader like an idiot. And the exercises are good for helping you to think through how to format your code. From there I'm planning to go through Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, and after I get a bit better at it, Fluent Python

Python Crash Course

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

Fluent Python

I've been using the following books after finishing Automate the Boring stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593279280/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://runestone.academy/runestone/books/published/pythonds/index.html#

​

Python Crash course reinforces what you learned in Automate the Boring stuff and goes a bit further and the 2nd link is for Data Structures/Algorithms. You have to make an account to use the site but it is really good.

​

I am only on the first chapter for the 2nd site but my only critique so far is that sometimes the code doens't work when you use it in your own browser so I've been using Python Crash course to cross reference.

​

#EDIT: Also I would not use Learn Python the Hard way. I tried using that book and it just gave me bad habits. Its a nice reference but I would not base your studies off of it.

Read Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes. It's a great intro to programming. Or check out The Odin Project.

You could even do both! They are both great resources and very beginner friendly. If I could do it all over again, I wish I had started learning how to code at 16. You are in a great spot in your life, and the more you learn now, the better off you'll be for landing a great job that makes you happy. Good luck to you!

I really enjoyed Python Crash Coarse and Black hat Python for learning scripting

Also any ting from No Starch Press. They have some great books.

I think this two It's very good for beginners: Automate the Boring Stuff with Python and Python Crash Course. And this guy, his YouTube channel is amazing sentdex

Python Crash Course by Eric Mattes: https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-2nd-Edition/dp/1593279280/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=python+crash+course&qid=1568424686&s=gateway&sprefix=Python+&sr=8-3

I am in Univ 1001 and CS 1101 during my first semester. I am not going to lie as basic as the concepts are, the programming course has been a challenge. Mainly because the free book we are using is trash. It talks about concepts it hasn't taught yet, gives horrible definitions and teaches very poorly. I am only making it because before I started I bought myself a book on python and it touches on everything in the class. It has better examples and more clear explanations.

My suggestion would be don't rely on the book. Find your own resources.

Personally I am terrified for term two and the harder classes. anyone in CS1102?

Here's the Amazon link, or if you're interested you can order direct from the publisher as well. It has worked quite well for many people, from all kinds of backgrounds.

1.) 3.7.3

2.) Followed the instructions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uQrJ0TkZlc

3.) Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-2nd-Edition/dp/1593279280/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=48J6KJW0DDN4GGRT38EV

4.) I'm not familiar with the term "errata".

Apparently a 2nd edition just came out, https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-2nd-Edition/dp/1593279280

Im probably going to get https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-Hands-Project-Based/dp/1593279280?imprToken=tSJjOZOQ.95oqUr.e4GEzw&slotNum=0&SubscriptionId=AKIAJBKIFSMHEN2PCMZQ&tag=pythonbooks01-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1593279280

Its 9 months since I last used Python last, I know some things still but want to refresh my memory as well, Ill spent a lot of time on this and when Ill get comfortable, ill upgrade to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fluent-Python-Luciano-Ramalho/dp/1491946008

I have an alternate suggestion.


I started off learning Python and then switched into Java because the place I got hired at wanted Java.


I recommend you get this book and start with Python. Everything you learn will transfer over to Java anyway. But this book is like the #1 bestselling programming book on earth, and that's because it teaches you all of the fundamentals of programming as if you were a child.


It's like, "Here is a magician. He has a box. Let's put a flower in the box and pull out a rabbit."


Your issue sounds like the medium you're using to learn programming doesn't match your learning style. So maybe a book will help instead of YouTube videos and online guides.

I decided I wanted to learn how to code waaaaaay back in 2010. I started and quit over and over for the same reason you mentioned: every time I tried to learn, it all seemed to fast-paced and I couldn't keep up, and I ended up feeling stupid and frustrated every time. Why not just do things I'm already good at?!

So I went on to do other things, but the desire to learn how to code so I could create my own apps and storytelling worlds never went away.

About a month ago I realized, "If I would have stuck with it the first time and pushed through the "not getting it" part, I'd be an almost 10 year programming vet right now." I decided that I didn't want to have that same thought in another 10 years ("If I stuck with it 10 years ago, I'd be 10 years ahead!), so I really dug my feet in and decided I was going to lean into it and spend as much time as it takes this time, and go as slow as I need to.

I bought Python Crash Course off Amazon, signed up for Codecademy, and watched some Youtube videos. But nothing so far has made it as easy-to-get as the Python Crash Course book. I'm not sure if it's because I've spent the past almost-ten-years dipping my toes in the water, so I kinda get certain programming concepts, but going through this book is like an entirely different world than all the course, tutorials, "cademies," "bootcamps," etc. that I've gone through. I just seem to "get it."

Of course, there have been spots where I've had to go back and read an entire chapter again, because I get to the exercises and can't remember how to do a certain thing. But that's nothing to be afraid of. The more you do that the more it will make sense and the more you'll know how to do it without referring to a book.

But the book itself is laid out at a really good pace (and really, any pace you want because it's a book). Best of all, the author doesn't just say, "Here, type what I type, that's a class, that's a function, let's move on to the next thing, we'll deal with this again later..." like so many tutorials and bootcamps do online. He lays out the code for you to write, then goes step-by-step through each line and explains WHY it's there, WHAT it does, and HOW it works. Then you gradually add on to it as he presents new concepts and functionality relating to the topic.

That might sound long and boring on paper, but it's actually not bad at all., Every few pages he'll stop and say, "okay, now take what you've just learned, and make your own program out of it." They're little exercises, like, "Use a loop to add 10 numbers to a list." That scared me at first because it sounded complicated, but since the previous lessons were laid out so good, once I did it and saw that it worked without any errors, I went, "Oh my gosh! That was easy! I think I can actually get this stuff!"

Honestly though, you have to ask yourself why you want to learn to code. For me it's another avenue to be creative and tell stories. That's kind of my "thing," (if you can't tell). I'm a writer, and I love to help people xD. So all I see when I look at programming is "How can I use that to tell stories and help people?"

There's nothing wrong with wanting to make money. But if your sole desire is making money when you're trying to self-learn, it can overwhelm you and make you feel rushed and strapped for time, and that's why nothing really sticks. If you can look at it more like, "I want to learn programming so it can be an extension of (let's say "art" in this case, since that's where you have a degree), then it will be a lot easier to pace yourself. You'll WANT to use your free time to learn so you can have somewhere else to do your "art," and since you're not feeling rushed to hurry up and learn so you can make money, you can actually take the time to learn and let things sink in.

Contrary to all the clickbait and empty promises of "Learn Programming in 20 MINUTES!!" It WILL take time. But a little everyday and before you know it you'll have it down and you'll be making your own apps/creating a portfolio to go make money.

In the meantime, check out that book!

try this book https://www.amazon.com/Python-Crash-Course-2nd-Edition/dp/1593279280?ref_=Oct_BSellerC_285856_2&pf_rd_p=3631366a-a398-5400-ba1f-103cf1e38138&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=285856&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=5VGXB999V71B9F6F7KTR&pf_rd_r=5VGXB999V71B9F6F7KTR&pf_rd_p=3631366a-a398-5400-ba1f-103cf1e38138