Differences between revisions 3 and 84 (spanning 81 versions)
Revision 3 as of 2004-10-11 21:10:29
Size: 4722
Comment: Fix links, list indentation
Revision 84 as of 2010-01-14 14:24:38
Size: 5566
Editor: 222
Comment:
Deletions are marked like this. Additions are marked like this.
Line 1: Line 1:
== Beginner's Guide to Python == #acl Known:read,write,revert All:read
= Beginner's Guide to Python =
Line 3: Line 4:
New to programming?  Python is free, and easy to learn if you know
where to start!  This guide will help you to get started quickly.
New to programming? Python is free, and easy to learn if you know where to start! This guide will help you to get started quickly.
Line 8: Line 8:
  * Read our brief [BeginnersGuide/Overview brief overview of Python] to learn the key points.
  * First, you need to get the Python interpreter installed on your computer.
  (This is the program that reads Python programs and carries out their
  instructions; you need it before you can do any Python programming.)
  See [BeginnersGuide/Download "Downloading Python"] for instructions
  for downloading the correct version of Python.
Read [[BeginnersGuide/Overview]] for a short explanation of what Python is.
Line 15: Line 10:
  * You'll want to select a [http://www.python.org/editors text editor] that has support for Python. == Getting Python ==
Line 17: Line 12:
  * Next, you're going to want to read a tutorial and try some simple experiments
  with your new Python interpreter.
Next, install the Python interpreter on your computer.
This is the program that reads Python programs and carries out their
instructions; you need it before you can do any Python programming.
Line 20: Line 16:
      * If you've never programmed before, see [BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers "Python for Non-Programmers"].
      * If you have previous programming experience, consult [BeginnersGuide/Programmers "Python for Programmers"], which lists more advanced tutorials.
      * If English isn't your first language, you might be more comfortable with a tutorial that's been translated into your language. Consult python.org's [http://www.python.org/doc/NonEnglish.html list of Non-English resources].
See [[BeginnersGuide/Download]] for instructions
for downloading the correct version of Python.
Line 24: Line 19:
At some stage, you'll want to edit and save your program code. Take a look at HowToEditPythonCode for some advice and recommendations.
Line 25: Line 21:
  * Once you've read a tutorial, you can browse through
  [http://www.python.org/doc/ Python's online documentation].
  It includes [http://www.python.org/doc/current/tut/ a tutorial]
  that may be helpful, [http://www.python.org/doc/current/lib/ a Library Reference] that lists all of the modules that come
  standard with Python, and [http://www.python.org/doc/current/ref/ the Language Reference] for a complete (if rather dry) explanation of Python's syntax.
== Learning Python ==
Line 31: Line 23:
  * Most Python books will include an introduction; see [IntroductoryBooks the book list]
  for suggested titles.
  * Consult the [BeginnersGuide/Examples "Examples and Sample Code"] page for small
  programs and little snippets of code that can help you learn.
  * Need help from a human? Read [BeginnersGuide/help.html "Getting Help"] for mailing lists and newsgroups.
  * Or, you can pay for [BeginnersGuide/Courses a Python course].
  * Teachers can join the [http://www.python.org/sigs/edu-sig/ EDU-SIG],
  a mailing list for discussion of
  Python's use in teaching at any level ranging from K-12 up to
  university.
Next, read a tutorial and try some simple experiments with your new Python interpreter.

      * If you've never programmed before, see [[BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers]] for a list of suitable tutorials.
      * If you have previous programming experience, consult [[BeginnersGuide/Programmers]], which lists more advanced tutorials.
      * If English isn't your first language, you might be more comfortable with a tutorial that's been translated into your language. Consult python.org's [[http://wiki.python.org/moin/Languages|list of Non-English resources]].

Most tutorials assume you know how to run a program on your computer.
If you are using Windows and need help with this, see [[http://www.python.org/doc/faq/windows/#how-do-i-run-a-python-program-under-windows|How do I Run a Program Under Windows]].

Once you've read a tutorial, you can browse through
[[http://docs.python.org|Python's online documentation]].
It includes [[http://docs.python.org/tut/|a tutorial]]
that may be helpful, [[http://docs.python.org//lib/|a Library Reference]] that lists all of the modules that come
standard with Python, [[http://www.research-service.com/custom-research-paper.html|research paper]]and [[http://docs.python.org/ref/|the Language Reference]] for a complete (if rather dry) explanation of Python's syntax.

When you are ready to write your first program you will need a text
editor. To get started you can use any editor you are familiar with - even something like Notepad - but as you gain experience you may want to use a text editor with features that help you write Python programs. See PythonEditors for a list of programs friendly to Python code editing.

== Need Help? ==

Need help with any of this? Read [[BeginnersGuide/Help]] for mailing lists and newsgroups.

Most Python books will include an introduction to the language; see IntroductoryBooks for suggested titles.

Consult [[BeginnersGuide/Examples]] for small
programs and little snippets of code that can help you learn.

Or, if you prefer to learn Python through listening to a lecture, you can attend
a training course or even hire a trainer to come to your company.
Consult the PythonEvents page to see if any training courses are scheduled in your area, and the PythonTraining page for a list of trainers.

Teachers can join the [[http://www.python.org/sigs/edu-sig/|EDU-SIG]], a mailing list for discussion of Python's use in teaching at any level ranging from K-12 up to university.

== Complete list of Beginner's Guide pages ==

<<PageList(BeginnersGuide/)>>
Line 44: Line 62:
 *  The first place to look is the [http://www.python.org/pypi/ Python Package Index].  * The first place to look is the [[http://pypi.python.org/pypi|Python Package Index]].
Line 47: Line 65:
 try [http://www.python.org/search/ searching python.org] - you can
 find anything mentioned on the Python site, in the [http://www.python.org/doc/faq/ FAQs], or in the
 newsgroup.  More info: [http://www.python.org/search/#help where to
 search].
 try [[http://www.python.org/search/|searching python.org]] - you can
 find anything mentioned on the Python site, in the [[http://www.python.org/doc/faq/|FAQs]], or in the
 newsgroup. More info: [[http://www.python.org/search/|where to search]].
Line 52: Line 69:
 * Next, try [http://www.google.com Google] or other
 search engine of your choice.  Searching for "python" and some relevant keywords will usually find something helpful.
 * Next, try [[http://www.google.com|Google]] or other
 search engine of your choice. Searching for "python" and some relevant keywords will usually find something helpful.
Line 61: Line 78:
 *  Python is a product of the [http://www.python.org/psf/ Python Software Foundation], a non-profit organization that holds the copyright. [http://www.python.org/psf/donations.html Donations to the PSF] are tax-deductible in the USA, and you can donate via credit card or PayPal.  * Python is a product of the [[http://www.python.org/psf/|Python Software Foundation]], a non-profit organization that holds the copyright. [[http://www.python.org/psf/donations/|Donations to the PSF]] are tax-deductible in the USA, and you can donate via credit card or PayPal.
Line 63: Line 80:
 * To report a bug in the Python core, use the [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=5470&atid=105470 Python Bug Tracker] at SourceForge.  * To report a bug in the Python core, use the [[http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=5470&atid=105470|Python Bug Tracker]] at SourceForge.
Line 65: Line 82:
 * To contribute a bug fix or other patch to the Python
core, read the [http://www.python.org/dev/ Python Developer's Guide]
for more information about Python's development process.
 * To contribute a bug fix or other patch to the Python core, read the [[http://www.python.org/dev/|Python Developer's Guide]] for more information about Python's development process.
Line 69: Line 84:
 * To contribute to the official [http://www.python.org/doc/ Python documentation], join the [http://www.python.org/sigs/doc-sig/ Documentation SIG],
 
write to docs@python.org, or use the [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=5470&atid=305470 Patch Manager] to contribute a documentation patch.
 * To contribute to the official [[http://www.python.org/doc/|Python documentation]], join the [[http://www.python.org/sigs/doc-sig/|Documentation SIG]], write to docs@python.org, or use the [[http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=5470&atid=305470|Patch Manager]] to contribute a documentation patch.
Line 72: Line 86:
 *  To announce your module or application to the Python community,
 use
[news:comp.lang.python.announce comp.lang.python.announce]. See
[http://www.python.org/community/lists.html#comp-lang-python-announce the guide to Python mailing lists] for more information.
 * To announce your module or application to the Python community, use [[news:comp.lang.python.announce|comp.lang.python.announce]]. See [[http://www.python.org/community/lists/#comp-lang-python-announce|the guide to Python mailing lists]] for more information.
Line 76: Line 88:
 *  To propose changes to the python core, post your thoughts to [news:comp.lang.python comp.lang.python].
If you have an implementation, follow the [http://www.python.org/patches/ Python Patch Guidelines].
 * To propose changes to the python core, post your thoughts to [[news:comp.lang.python|comp.lang.python]]. If you have an implementation, follow the [[http://www.python.org/patches/|Python Patch Guidelines]].
Line 79: Line 90:
== Did we miss your concern? ==

Please add a comment to this page.
----
CategoryDocumentation

Beginner's Guide to Python

New to programming? Python is free, and easy to learn if you know where to start! This guide will help you to get started quickly.

New to Python?

Read BeginnersGuide/Overview for a short explanation of what Python is.

Getting Python

Next, install the Python interpreter on your computer. This is the program that reads Python programs and carries out their instructions; you need it before you can do any Python programming.

See BeginnersGuide/Download for instructions for downloading the correct version of Python.

At some stage, you'll want to edit and save your program code. Take a look at HowToEditPythonCode for some advice and recommendations.

Learning Python

Next, read a tutorial and try some simple experiments with your new Python interpreter.

Most tutorials assume you know how to run a program on your computer. If you are using Windows and need help with this, see How do I Run a Program Under Windows.

Once you've read a tutorial, you can browse through Python's online documentation. It includes a tutorial that may be helpful, a Library Reference that lists all of the modules that come standard with Python, research paperand the Language Reference for a complete (if rather dry) explanation of Python's syntax.

When you are ready to write your first program you will need a text editor. To get started you can use any editor you are familiar with - even something like Notepad - but as you gain experience you may want to use a text editor with features that help you write Python programs. See PythonEditors for a list of programs friendly to Python code editing.

Need Help?

Need help with any of this? Read BeginnersGuide/Help for mailing lists and newsgroups.

Most Python books will include an introduction to the language; see IntroductoryBooks for suggested titles.

Consult BeginnersGuide/Examples for small programs and little snippets of code that can help you learn.

Or, if you prefer to learn Python through listening to a lecture, you can attend a training course or even hire a trainer to come to your company. Consult the PythonEvents page to see if any training courses are scheduled in your area, and the PythonTraining page for a list of trainers.

Teachers can join the EDU-SIG, a mailing list for discussion of Python's use in teaching at any level ranging from K-12 up to university.

Complete list of Beginner's Guide pages

Looking for a particular Python module or application?

  • The first place to look is the Python Package Index.

  • If you can't find anything relevant in the Package Index,

    try searching python.org - you can find anything mentioned on the Python site, in the FAQs, or in the newsgroup. More info: where to search.

  • Next, try Google or other search engine of your choice. Searching for "python" and some relevant keywords will usually find something helpful.

  • Finally, you can try posting a query to the comp.lang.python Usenet group.

Want to contribute?


CategoryDocumentation

BeginnersGuide (last edited 2023-08-29 20:15:52 by eriky)

Unable to edit the page? See the FrontPage for instructions.