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Learn Python The Hard Way (2000)

by Zed Shaw(Favorite Author)

3.92 of 5 Votes: 2

languge

English

genre

review 1: I just finished a couple of months of going in and out of the pair of "Learn Code the Hard Way" books (Python and Ruby, reading each chapter in turn). I finally reached the last set of ten or so chapters, and decided to go full out skimming them, just to be done with the book/s. A few reasons:* I'm lazy. Zed expects you to spend as much as it takes to solve any exercise, and I do not have the time or interest to do that right now.* Zed's right that skill repetition is necessary, from basic entry (four spaces for Python, two for Ruby) to the problem-solving skills I clearly would have developed if I had finished this book with all due diligence, but I had several pedagogical qualms with this book.* I want to move on to exploring other technologies / pick up other books on t... morehe same topics.* I need to feel okay with not completing books (esp. post-SJC, with books read for utility).That said, Zed has some really good ideas (and funny, poignant jokes) that I want to remember for any future interactions with programming that I may have. I think the best note to write down is this excerpt from the "Next Steps" chapter:"The organization of this book is based on how I and many other programmers learn new languages. The process that I usually follow is:Get a book or some introductory text about the language.Go through the book and type in all of the code making all of it run.Read the book as you work on the code, taking notes.Use the language to implement a small set of programs you are familiar with in another language.Read other people's code in the language, and try to copy their patterns."At that point, he suggests starting projects as soon as possible, making, breaking, researching, fixing, and expanding.I also really like this passage:"Programming as a profession is only moderately interesting. It can be a good job, but you could make about the same money and be happier running a fast food joint. You're much better off using code as your secret weapon in another profession.People who can code in the world of technology companies are a dime a dozen and get no respect. People who can code in biology, medicine, government, sociology, physics, history, and mathematics are respected and can do amazing things to advance those disciplines."Finally, an important reminder. Zed tells the reader, who he assumes has completed everything, "You're not a programmer quite yet." This applies a fortiori to me.
review 2: It’s a very good book and should get entry level programmers with Python or any other language off the ground and running. The author has a rather condescending attitude and would be well served to remember that there are those of us that want to learn new programming languages for fun or hobby, and that were programming before he was born. But you can ignore some of his comments and get to the code pretty quickly. Things are explained well and there are plenty of examples. The Q/A at the end of each chapter is rather juvenile but functional. The author missed some opportunities to do some real teaching, but some of the samples or assignments are good. All in all it’s a good book and should get anyone interested in Python programming for fun or a career or even a special application off to a very good start. less

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