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Date: Fri, 3 May 2013 19:04:43 +1000
Subject: Re: Python teaching book recommendations: 3.3+ and with exercises
From: Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com>
To: python-list@python.org
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On Fri, May 3, 2013 at 11:06 AM, TP <wingusr@gmail.com> wrote:
> Since I've been using Python for years, I've only skimmed new books. Pers=
onally, I found the standard Python tutorial [1] (and reading the What's Ne=
w sections) more than adequate for originally learning Python.
>
> Anyway, given your constraints, here's what I've come up with (stipulatin=
g Python 3, limits the number of available books. And requiring exercises i=
s even stricter):

Thanks for the tips, TP! I'll discuss these with the appropriate
people over the weekend. From first glance, this is how they seem to
me:

> Python for Kids - A Playful Introduction to Programming - J. Briggs (No S=
tarch, 2013) [2]. Python 3.2? Not necessarily just for kids but definitely =
slanted towards younger readers. Has "Programming Puzzles".

Might skip this one. He's already tinkering with his own Linux box, so
I don't think we need to go childish.

> Think Python - A. Downey (O'Reilly, 2012) [3]. For Python 2 & 3. Exercise=
s but no answers? There is also a Python 3 specific version available. Free=
.

That looks good. Lack of answers isn't a problem; if Dad can't figure
it out, he can always ask me. (But I'm hoping to be involved as little
as possible with the detaily bits.)

> Beginning Python - Using Python 2.6 and Python 3.1 - J. Payne (Wrox, 2010=
) [4]. Has exercises but... they seem a bit simplistic to me. Answers in Ap=
pendix A.

Perhaps, but I'll keep it on the list anyway.

> Head First Python - Barry (OReilly,2011) [5] Python 3. Says for people wh=
o already know another language (and I would have to agree with that). Exer=
cises.

Pass on that, then; Python's his first real language study.

> Introduction to Programming Using Python - Y. Liang (Pearson, 2013) [6]. =
A bit dull looking. Probably a college textbook? Lots of exercises. Author =
also has similar books on C++ & Java. Expensive.

I'll mention it, but expensive is a downside when there are a number
of free and/or cheap options!

> Ignoring the constraints, here's another one that looks really interestin=
g:
>
> Hello Python - A. Briggs (Manning, 2012) [7]. Python 2 only. Learn by inc=
rementally writing and improving working programs. Less focused on syntax a=
nd more on getting the job done. No exercises per se, but since goal is wor=
king programs, progress can be still be checked. More about the "batteries"=
 (including somewhat surprisingly pyglet, twisted & django).
>
>     "We'll be using the latest version of Python 2, because most of the
>     libraries that we'll use in this book don=92t yet support Python 3."

I'll avoid that, then; I really don't want to have to get into a
discussion of raw_input() vs input() after he's befuddled himself, nor
do I intend to re-argue Unicode vs bytes!

Many thanks for the suggestions. Was kinda hoping for multiple
people's chimings-in; I know there'll be some strong opinions around
the list... it's what we do best... :)

ChrisA