Core Python programming

What Hacker News says

1. strayMar 2011
   You could try starting with "How to Design Programs" at http://htdp.org (or buy the dead tree version). That book has been very helpful for some people. The programming language environment used in HTDP can be downloaded from http://racket-lang.org.

   If you'd prefer Python, a real gem of a book is Core Python Programming by Westley Chun. Python btw, is an excellent choice for a first programming language.

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2. jbarhamOct 2010
   Core Python Programming (2nd Edition) by Wesley Chun (http://python.net/crew/wesc/cpp/) is very good. It's somewhat dated now, but is very readable.

   Once you've learned the language, David Beazley's Python Essential Reference (4th Edition) (http://www.dabeaz.com/per.html) is excellent.

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3. maccoNov 2008
   A very good book is Core Python Programming by Wesley Chun. : http://www.amazon.com/Core-Python-Programming-2nd/dp/0132269... But it is not for total beginners.
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4. whitenMay 2008
   I think I understand the underlying reasoning behind the question. If like me, you have read a lot of the posts on this site, and the essays of Mr Graham, and have a desire to somehow start a start-up, or become your own boss etc., you search for ways to achieve this/these goals.

   Most of the advice is fairly general, and I was often left with the feeling that many people just repeat the mantra: 'learn how to hack', 'do something you want, and users will like' etc etc. All good advice I may say, but nothing too concrete on how you actually start!

   As hackers, most people will say: "you need to code, and business people, although relevant aren't required straight away."

   I sort of agree and disagree. What does not work though is doing nothing, or procrastinating(in the wrong areas).

   For me, I decided to at least do SOMETHING. I came from a systems engineering background (read:good Microsoft/Cisco techie, and reasonable sales/presentation sort of guy) - not a hacker though.

   So, I decided to attempt to learn Java about a year or two ago. I have done OK with this, but unless you use a language in anger most days, you don't get very far. My latest attempt is Python. I like Core Python Programming 2nd edition by Wesley J. Chun.

   What I guess I am trying to say is, you need to work out where you want to be (successful business), and take small steps towards it. That maybe learning business stuff, and it maybe learning to hack. Whatever. Just do something that is a step towards where you want to be, and continually re-evaluate how it's going.

   Good luck.

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5. amourFeb 2008
   I found Core Python Programming by Wesley J. Chun is the best python book so far that I requested the university library to get it (among couple other books) for my research.

   I started with Beginning Python: From Novice to Professional. Extremely helpful and easy to follow book, since I already have few languages in my repertoire.

   After you are comfortable with python and its syntax then get some python cookbooks.

   Good Luck

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6. maccoDec 2011
   For an great introduction to programming in general try to learn http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/ or http://www.htdp.org/ Both are great books, but they require a lot of resilience if you want to get the most out of them.

   One of the best introductions to Python is http://www.diveintopython.net/ but it's not in introduction to programming in general.

   If you want both try: Core Python Programming http://corepython.com/ - but it's not free.

   For learning a Python framework I would recommend the web2py book: http://web2py.com/book web2py makes you very productive, imo.

   You can find a great list of free programming books here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/194812/list-of-freely-ava...

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