Reddit reviews Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition
We found 36 Reddit comments about Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Course Technology
You try the Invent Games with Python / Making Games with Python books, if dipping your toes into gamedev sounds fun.
I am working through Python Programming For the Absolute Beginner and that also has a focus on game-style projects. The first one will probably be a bit too easy for you, but More PPFtAB might be something that interests you.
That's because the explanations aren't very good. You aren't alone in that regard. As one other suggested, there is Think Python.
I would also suggest these:
As for online resources:
This set me up for my first term in uni where we learnt python: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Dawson/dp/1435455002.
It begins right at the begining and makes learning fun as you work your way through the book making games and by the end you would have made a game with a fully functioning GUI.
Well, what language?
I actually JUST got back home about an hour ago from riding on my bike to the library (check out my reply to /u/zabzonk ) for one of if not THEE book that has helped me most when I was first interested in programming.
[Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition - by Michael Dawson] (http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-3rd/dp/1435455002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405791222&sr=1-1&keywords=python+programming+for+the+absolute+beginner)
The book itself has a "fun" writing style, at least enough to make me engaged in the reading, the examples are easy to understand, and it helped me grasp basic concepts very quickly. Also, Python 3 itself if a really solid pick for a first language IMO.
Really though, check out tons of books on one language, even if you don't read them all, you can sample a bit of each to see which one you want to read. And if you don't understand something, try reading it in one of the other books to see if you understand THAT example. It might also help you a little bit to pick up a book on a DIFFERENT language, in my case I REALLY started grasping concepts when reading [Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies - by Barry Burd] (http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Programming-Java-Dummies-Burd/dp/0470371749/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405791600&sr=1-4&keywords=Java+for+dummies) because his writing style was really entertaining and had me entirely focused and learning the whole time.
In the end, I still can't code much worth 2 cents, but I've touched on C++, Python, Java, and C# now and really understand the concepts of programming without having programmed much of anything. I'll tell you right now the reading is important, but PRACTICE. MAKES. PERFECT.
Read, and code every example in the book and try to put your own twist on it. Once you understand a little, try for a simple idea you have in mind, maybe a Dice Roller with X amount of dice and X amount of sides? Maybe tic-tac-toe? Whatever sounds like a fun little project, try to make it as you learn. And any GUI (graphical user interface) programming is best saved for last, learn how to code before you learn how to make pretty menus.
"Automate the Boring Stuff" and other books the same author are free online - http://inventwithpython.com/
There are other free books for beginners
See more links on /r/python (in right column)
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EDIT:
Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner is for absolute beginners. Every chapter describes one element and you write one program or game.
Learn Python - a lot of information - 1600 pages.
I'm using 'Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner' http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1435455002/ref=oss_product and finding it great.
I already knew a few languages before but I found this book to be pretty darn good.
http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-3rd/dp/1435455002/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267542178&sr=8-1
I have two books which I think are excellent, and both do what you describe.
One is Rapid GUI programming with Python and Qt which teaches you GUI programming through examples. It's a really good book, the only thing it lacks is that it's not Python3.
The other one is Python programming for the absolute beginner which lets you create games, one at a time, to teach you Python programming by example. This book also has a continuation called More Python programming for the absolute beginner which continues where the first one left off. I don't have the second book, but they both seem to be rather good and well liked by their readers. Like the Qt book I mentioned, these two are also Python2, which is a bit boring but they will at least get you started.
As someone who is also learning python, I would recommend: http://www.learnpythonthehardway.org/
Since you already know a bit about python, you'll go through the beginning chapters very fast, but the later ones get interesting. The author also checks the comments very often, answering any questions you may have.
If that seems to advanced for you, or if it gets too hard, I would recommend this book. This book is great if python is your first language, and goes through everything in detail. It also teaches you some of the general programming lingo.
Python is a good language to learn and you can do most things (as a beginner) on an iPod I imagine. However, I would recommend getting an actual computer to go further and do more learning proper tools for development and exploring new libraries will probably be difficult to do on an iPod (not to mention trying to write large programs). Also I would recommend this book http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Edition/dp/1435455002%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q%26tag%3Dduckduckgo-d-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1435455002 I get it for everyone I know when they want to learn python.
If you want to go windows / .Net dev: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/default.aspx
For Linux: http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-3rd/dp/1435455002
Both are good options for web or client based development.
Sure, it's this one
Eu prefiro um bom livro. Prefiro ter uma boa introdução de conceitos, complementada por exercícios. Se estivesse agora a começar a aprender começava por pyhton ou Ruby.
Para Ruby recomendo Programming Ruby 1.9 & 2.0: The Pragmatic Programmers' Guide (The Facets of Ruby).
Para Python nunca li nenhum, pelo que não sou o melhor para recomendar, mas uma pesquisa rápida revelou este: Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition que parece ser bem fixe.
Outra opção que acho bastante boa, é fazer um curso no Coursera, ou parecidos. Podes pegar num curso já concluído e avançar à velocidade que quiseres.
Getting much off-topic here, but:
Programming is kinda like art. It doesn't matter if you're using oils or watercolours or crayons or charcoal or pencil or a Biro, just do it. You can pick up other art-forms later, and it'll be much easier to once you're learnt one. What's more important is that you start, have an interest, and are willing to practice and learn.
That said, it'll likely be easier to pick a language that has a good beginner community around it as a first language. Python is an example with a huge beginner community. Perhaps you might prefer to start with an interactive tutorial like the free interactive version of How to Think Like a Computer Scientist, or you'd prefer to read a book like Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, or perhaps both! Doesn't matter.
Once you're reasonably comfortable with a language, you can pick up more. A language you might want to familiarize yourself with eventually would be C, since it's practically the lingua franca for systems-level programming. If you're interested in emulation, you will eventually want to become familiar with the assembly language for the types of CPU(s) you're interested in emulating.
Good luck.
I wouldn't recommend starting with Python - it is a 'weakly typed' language (i.e; it's not fussy about how you do things, so you can be lazy). This will make it harder to learn other languages later.
However, it is probably the easiest language to learn for a beginner, so for an easy-to-understand start, I'd use Code Academy, or if you prefer a book, get this one.
Be prepared for a long road then. I recommend getting a solid footing on coding before attempting larger projects like your dream game.
I started years back with this book. Python taught me general programming.
When you do the examples in that book, expand on them. Add things to them that they didn't mention. At this point, it should be something you enjoy. If it isn't, coding may be a hard journey, and another aspect of game development may be a better fit (art, etc.).
If all is well after that, try picking up Java. This language will help you when you begin working on Android (and will open up tons of job opportunities). Alternatively, start picking up some game engine development, like using C# in Unity.
This is all just my opinion, and is the general direction I took when starting out. Good luck!
Agreed. If you must go with a book, there's always http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-3rd/dp/1435455002 .
You could also try http://inventwithpython.com/pygame/ and/or http://inventwithpython.com/index.html , which you can always download a PDF of(That's what I did).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Dawson/dp/1435455002/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367914819&sr=8-1&keywords=python
I found this to be an excellent book to learn from.
Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner by Michael Dawson
So easy to read, and he makes every step into a game. Worth much more than $20. Khan Academy has Python lessons, too, I think?
You mentioned in another post that you liked the whole learning while making games process. I suggest you check out Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner (2nd edition covers Python 2.x, 3rd edition covers Python 3.x). It teaches you by building games and covers quite a lot of areas in pretty good detail from what I have heard.
If I was to suggest one thing to you it would be try not to focus too much on the material you are learning from but more on what you are learning. What I mean is don't ditch a book because you read online that it wasn't very good. The majority of people who give feedback about books don't even finish them in my experience. Obviously don't buy a book that is totally hated by almost everyone but don't be put off because a very (very vocal!) people on reddit say it is crap.
Also second bit of advice, once you are comfortable with Python check out PyCharm :)
Amazon.com link to book
It sadly has been like 12 years since I started programming so my knowledge of where to start is rusty. The best thing I'd recommend is to go on Amazon and look for a python beginner book with high ratings.
I'm guessing if you want to start generically you can try:
http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Edition/dp/1435455002
If you find any of the following areas interesting:
Pattern matching with regular expressions
Reading and writing files
Organizing files
Debugging
Web scraping
Working with Excel spreadsheets
Working with PDF and word documents
Working with CSV files and JSON data
Keeping time, scheduling, tasks, and launching programs
Sending email and text messages
Manipulating images
Controlling the keyboard and mouse with GUI automation
Then this may be interesting for you:
http://www.amazon.com/Automate-Boring-Stuff-Python-Programming/dp/1593275994/ref=pd_cp_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0PKBV1D3FY5M1JEMZM3P
There are many introductory books out there, and I have not read the above personally but to date I have not been let down by books with a high rating and > 100 reviews.
ALSO it probably is worth checking out CSC108 lectures.
I tried to learn Python like 3 or 4 times when I was in IT and it didn't ever click in my head until I read this book. For some reason, the way the author explains things just made sense to me.
https://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-3rd/dp/1435455002/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522440046&sr=8-1&keywords=python+for+the+absolute+beginner
Each chapter is a project, and it's focused on simple games. I like it especially for that reason; I think that working on projects is the best way to learn programming.
Once you get the basics, the hard part is coming up with projects to work on, but there's a lot of resources on Reddit and other places to get you started and working on open source projects is a great way to go as well. Doesn't really matter what the project is, just that you're interested in it.
Don't forget to look into Linux stuff too; my Linux skills reaaaaallly helped me when I was first trying to get programming jobs.
Thank you for your help. One more question: Did you learn from some books or your Python training is basen only on UofM course? I got this book because it is published in Poland and seems to be pretty good for beginners.
I have been using Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner and the exercises on DataCamp to learn Python for data science.
By the way..If you'd want to try out Object orientation...You could try the book Python for Absolute Beginners Third edition by Michael Dawson. It got an awesome Chapter on OOP ,taking thing step by step.
For ruby maybe:
r/ruby_infosec/
/r/ruby/
Python:
/r/Python/
/r/python_netsec/
You could also try the codecademy courses
I can also recommend the following books:
Ruby:
The Well-Grounded Rubyist, Second Edition
Learn Ruby The Hard Way
Python:
Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition
Learn Python The Hard Way
I hope this helps with learning either of the languages.
Alright, before I begin this I want to say that my opinions are probably wrong. I'm just some guy on the internet, and for all you know I could be literally insane.
That said, I'd say you should learn to code by getting the book Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner and learning basic programming in Python. The book also goes on to teach basic game development techniques using pygame.
In my opinion, pygame is great for learning about graphical programming but pretty useless beyond that. When its poor performance becomes too much of a restriction move on to C++ and SDL. SDL feels similar to Pygame when you use it, but it's a hell of a lot more performant.
You should also be learning how to make art and music while you're doing this, but I know even less about those than I do about coding, so I'll give no opinions on that.
I picked up this book, and the followup (not linked) It is FANTASTIC!
https://www.amazon.ca/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Third/dp/1435455002/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1466779993&sr=8-13&keywords=Python
Based on my previous experience with Head First books, I'd recommend Head First Python. Out of the three reviews on the main page on Amazon, the bad review is complaining about it not being "deep enough" for an experienced programmer. I have to say, the Head first series is kind of fun. (Geeky jokes, cool exercises, etc).
Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition seems to have decent reviews too.
Dive Into Python if I remember correctly assumes a little bit of experience from the reader. But it's a very good book.
I know that you are looking for something structured to pass on... but don't forget that the best thing you can "teach" is how to look things up.
Also, OCW (MIT) has a class on iTunes/YouTube on programming concepts with python. Definitely worth the time investment.
Also, I can't recommend this book enough. http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Edition/dp/1435455002 It's fun and challenging. At the end of some pretty lengthy chapters that explain certain concepts really well, he presents challenges that you can attempt, just give you more practice and get you thinking like a programmer. The book takes you from great explanations on the basics to developing GUIs and even simple video games. It's a great place to get started. Also there is Udemy.com, who is wrapping up their 65% off promotion. There are a good number of free tutorials and paid tutorials as well. Good luck with Python!
Check the side bar for the online books; LPTHW is a good place to start learning the basics. CodeAcademy is cool because it's interactive, but I didn't really like the Python course and I didn't feel like I learned more than some basic syntax. The ruby one is better, but not by much.
I've been using this textbook to teach myself: http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Edition/dp/1435455002
It was recommended to me by a friend who took CSCI 101 at PSU with it. He does it project-based; every chapter you complete a working game program, and he steps you through all of it with example programs. Very easy to follow, and the programs are fun to write. I've tried learning coding from textbooks in the past without much success, and I really feel like I'm getting somewhere with this one. Plus, it's python3, which is probably what we beginners should be working with.
Hey everyone, I'm looking into learning python as my first programming language. I have had very little experience with programming and I was wandering if this book is worth getting even though it is 6 years old now? Cheers! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginner-Dawson/dp/1435455002/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468587952&sr=8-1&keywords=python+programming+for+the+absolute+beginner
Well I've applied for a sysadmin job and they've mentioned that they use Python a lot, so at the moment I'm just trying to get a general overview of all the basics of the language :) I've got this book and I'm just going through the exercises at the end of each chapter. I've done basic programming and scripting before so it's been pretty easy to pick up so far.
Too bad I didn't start my github project out in python, most of it is in bash. For some reason github tells me on the code scale I have 80% in python O.o. Maybe I do some things in similar fashion with .shinc modules for the main script. If you're interested in retro gaming, you could always help me and JC with RetroRig. Most folks like to make games with python to start out, and once I find time myself, I play on going through the book Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner. I've leafed through it, and heard reviews from folks I know, and they love the book. It's a great way to sharpen up the skills. As far as projects, there are probably some sites that could help parse OSS/FOSS projects based on yoru interests.
GitHub only seems to sort/search by trending projects. The suggestions for OpenHatch is nice, and seems promising. They reason I started my project, was not because I like programming or anything (I am not a programmer by any stretch, but very technically minded), but because I loved the idea of making what I am doing. I started out small, and loved every little accomplishment I achieved. I now have a contributor, who also visits this subreddit, /u/beaumanvienna, and it's the most fun thing in the world to bounce ideas of people. Just think of programs you use, and how you can make them cool. The best work you could do and work on, is work you love and are interested in. Then you will be extremely proud of your accomplishments at the very minimum.
Edit: spelling.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1435455002/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1