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Subject: Re: Do you feel bad because of the Python docs?
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Xref: csiph.com comp.lang.python:40024

On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 4:17:22 PM UTC-6, Jason Swails wrote:
> Just to throw in my 2c -- in the same way that 'a picture
> is worth a thousand words', an interactive interpreter is
> worth volumes of documentation (especially one with such a
> nice help()/__doc__ functionality).

Yes! I don't even know why people care about the Python docs anyway. One of=
 the most under-appreciated (and maybe even unknown) aspects of the Python =
language is the power of doc strings and the help function. Not to mention =
the awesome introspection capabilities via a few built-in functions:
   =20
    id(obj)
    isinstance(obj, type)
    issubclass(obj, klass)
    repr(obj)
    type(obj)
    bool(obj)
    dir(obj)
    ...
   =20
   =20
As for the docs:=20

I would say that if you are searching for a "particular something" (and the=
 help function has failed you), then skip the docs and use Google instead. =
The docs only seem to work well when read in a "linear" fashion; with excep=
tion of the "global module index" and the "language reference" sections.

As for the "official tutorial", do yourself a favor and DON'T read it (or n=
ever read it) until AFTER you are comfortable with python. It's not so much=
 that the tutorial is lacking, it's more that the tutorial uses poor exampl=
e code and as such is an abomination. That's my opinion anyway. There are t=
ons of great python tutorials on the web.

> You aren't sure what errors are thrown by a particular
> function?  Fire up an interpreter and feed the function
> junk.  You'll get your answer faster than you can Google,
> and often learn neat stuff along the way.=20

Yes! Interactive sessions are what make python so damn great! If you don't =
have an editor window and a shell window open when writing (python) code, y=
ou are doing something wrong.

> (I recall one of
> RR's posts that actually had some good tips to learn-via-
> interpreter).

I don't remember the exact thread off-hand, but i must admit you can find l=
oads of great information in my threads! :-P