/prog/ - Learning as a total beginner

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:34

What would be the best choice for a total beginner?:

- Learn Python the hard way
- Dive into Python
- How to Think Like a Computer Scientist Learning with Python

I chosed "Learn Python the hard way", right now I'm on exercise 15 and it's getting harder to understand. Advices?

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:38

Advices?
troll harder.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:42

>>2
I must write like a stupid person or something, most of the time people think that I'm trolling when I ask something.

Why would I be trolling asking this? with what purpose?

I want someone with experience to tell me which book would be the best for a person who knows nothing about programming.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:43

Read SICP.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:44

K&R
RIP Ritchie!

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:46

>>4
Man, this is the third time since yesterday that I randomly see that book cover while browsing different websites. I think I'm gonna have to read it.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:47

>>6
Warning: Guido hates functional programming!

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:50

>>7
What does this mean?

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:54

>>8
It means, don't be a Guido.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:58

>>9
wtf!

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:00

>>8
4/10

It means the creator of Python hates functional languages. SICP uses Scheme.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:01

>>11
Whyyyyyyyy? Why everything is a troll for you people?!

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:02

OP, learn Ruby - it will allow you to write cool-loking code, like:



(sq = -> x {x * x})

p sq[2]

# => 4

 

(f = -> x{ (x > 0) ? (f[x-1] + f[x-2]) : (1) } )

p [*0..10].map{|x| f[x]}

# => [1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144]







yoba = -> say { say[][]["podyoba"] }

yoba[->{ ->{ ->word { puts word.swapcase } } }]

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:05

>>13
Isn't ruby even harder than Python? (at least that's what I've heard)

I'm a complete ignorant on this stuff! Though I really want to learn.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:05

>>13 My EYES!
OP, just continue Python for now if you know nothing else about programming. Ruby is shit ~~compared~~ entirely. I haven't ever read any books on Python, however, so I can't suggest anything. Just practice, ask questions on newsgroups, and possibly look at the design of any non-crap projects that are written in Python.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:09

>>15
Thanks. That's what I've been doing so far. Except the "look at the desing..." part because I know I wouldn't understand much yet.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:12

All I know is I've heard Dive Into Python is shite. There's also #python on freenode for asking questions in realtime. No idea if they're assholes there though, like on ##c...

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:12

Read SICP.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:14

As much as I dislike LISP, >>18 and such have a good idea. You should read SICP regardless.

Name: >>19 2011-12-20 20:16

And if you're too lazy to get a real copy: http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:20

http://www.amazon.com/Code-Language-Computer-Hardware-Software/dp/0735611319

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:22

>>20
Lazy or not I'll have to read it online. I live in a small village in a country that speaks spanish, so I doubt that that book is at the library.

Lot's of people have been telling me to read it. I started trying to learn Python because I've read that it's the best for the beginners. But now you tell me to read SICP. Has it basic knowledge on programming or something?

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:24

Read SICP.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:54

>think like a computer
>python

LOL

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:01

learn python 3

it is a vast improvement and offers unique features not seen in any other language such as closures and strong fp support. it is also extremely performant so you will never have to dig into writing c for parts of your program

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:02

>>22 I hate to say it, but ignore >>25
Don't learn Python 3, use 2.5 or up, but not 3.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:41

>>22
SICP is THE introductory book on computer science. It will give you the correct mindset for programming, too. Read it, then you'll be qualified to learn and do whatever you want.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:55

>>27
Thanks. I'll do it.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 22:12

This thread is all ^BAMPITY _BAMPITY!

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 23:04

>>13

How did you do that in Ruby? Is that even valid Ruby?

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 1:12

>>27

|| Read it, then you'll be qualified to learn...

Are you sure it worked?

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 1:39

I guess i could give a couple of links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_%28programming_language%29

Find a copy of Borland turbo pascal With the help file attached and you're laughing..

...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Programmers_Don%27t_Use_Pascal (Obviously, but you're not worried about "Production Software" atm so nevermind..)

ftr Real programmers don't use punchcards anymore either =D Pascal still Lives!

Once you've got the hang of turbo pascal, Upgrade to C / or whatever and repeat..

-------------------

program HelloWorld(output);
begin
Writeln('Hello world!');
end.

-------------------
-------------------

uses CRT;

program HelloWorld(output);

begin

setTextColor(Blue);
Writeln('Hello world!');
end.

-------------------

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 2:40

Python is shit for learning to program, all it will yeah you is to rely upon everyone else to do everything for you. Learn Erlang.

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 2:42

>>33
Fuck yeah for Erlang!

Learning as a total beginner

1 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:34

2 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:38

3 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:42

4 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:43

5 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:44

6 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:46

7 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:47

8 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:50

9 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:54

10 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:58

11 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:00

12 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:01

13 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:02

14 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:05

15 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:05

16 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:09

17 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:12

18 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:12

19 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:14

20 Name: >>19 2011-12-20 20:16

21 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:20

22 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:22

23 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:24

24 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:54

25 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:01

26 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:02

27 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:41

28 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:55

29 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 22:12

30 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 23:04

31 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 1:12

32 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 1:39

33 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 2:40

34 Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 2:42

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:34

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:38

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:42

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:43

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:44

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:46

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:47

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:50

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:54

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 19:58

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:00

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:01

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:02

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:05

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:05

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:09

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:12

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:12

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:14

Name: >>19 2011-12-20 20:16

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:20

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:22

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:24

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 20:54

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:01

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:02

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:41

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 21:55

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 22:12

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-20 23:04

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 1:12

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 1:39

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 2:40

Name: Anonymous 2011-12-21 2:42