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#acl All:read #acl Known:read,write,revert All:read
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Read ["BeginnersGuide/Overview"] for a short explanation of what Python is. Read [[BeginnersGuide/Overview]] for a short explanation of what Python is.
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See ["BeginnersGuide/Download"] for instructions See [[BeginnersGuide/Download]] for instructions
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      * 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].
      * 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]].
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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]. 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]].
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[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, and [http://docs.python.org/ref/ the Language Reference] for a complete (if rather dry) explanation of Python's syntax.
[[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.
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Need help with any of this? Read ["BeginnersGuide/Help"] for mailing lists and newsgroups. Need help with any of this? Read [[BeginnersGuide/Help]] for mailing lists and newsgroups.
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Consult ["BeginnersGuide/Examples"] for small Consult [[BeginnersGuide/Examples]] for small
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Or, you can pay for a Python course; see ["BeginnersGuide/Courses"] for a list. 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.
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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. 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.
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[[PageList(BeginnersGuide/)]] <<PageList(BeginnersGuide/)>>
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 * The first place to look is the [http://pypi.python.org/pypi Python Package Index].  * The first place to look is the [[http://pypi.python.org/pypi|Python Package Index]].
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 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].
 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]].
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 * Next, try [http://www.google.com Google] or other  * Next, try [[http://www.google.com|Google]] or other
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 * 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.  * 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.
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 * 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.
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 * 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.
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 * 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.
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 * 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.  * 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.
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 * 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]].

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.

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

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