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Groups > comp.lang.python > #39675

Re: Python Newbie

Date 2013-02-23 16:43 +0100
From Steve Simmons <square.steve@gmail.com>
Subject Re: Python Newbie
References (4 earlier) <kg7t19$a63$1@dont-email.me> <XnsA16F92E78A66duncanbooth@127.0.0.1> <5127848B.1060004@gmail.com> <mailman.2271.1361545569.2939.python-list@python.org> <928d2cf7-728b-4f35-b8c9-4c9b958507e5@googlegroups.com>
Newsgroups comp.lang.python
Message-ID <mailman.2351.1361634194.2939.python-list@python.org> (permalink)

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On 22/02/2013 22:37, piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com wrote:
> So far I am getting the impression that Python is a toy language of some kind (similar to Basic of the early 80's), not really suitable for serious work. The only difference between these languages (admittedly, a serious one) is the existence of extensive libraries. Otherwise there would be no good reason for Python to exist. Nevertheless, it does exist and I have to learn it. As long as someone is paying for my time, that's OK with me.
As with any comparison between languages, some of what you say is right 
and some not so much.  I'm working with Python because I wanted to and, 
although I'm in a similar place on the learning curve, I think its OK.

My first exposure to Python was when my son came home with a project to 
map Gaussian distributions in Python. The problem wasn't well defined 
and the lessons on Python were either poor or not absorbed by my son.  
Nevertheless, we got stuck in and, within the two weeks available, made 
a decent stab at delivering some results.

Now I'm writing (in my spare time) an application to take images of 
passports via a specialist camera, read the Machine  Readable Zone, 
check data on the new RFID passports and store it in a searchable 
database ('serious work' in my estimation).  I chose Python for the job 
in spite of the fact that the supplier of the camera "doesn't support" 
Python.

Why Python?  Because I found it approachable (similar to Basic); 
readable - if you write it properly (similar to Basic); because it has 
an excellent & well supported range of libraries (unlike Basic); because 
it has a choice of excellent GUI tool-sets (unlike Basic), because it is 
supported by an absolute gold-mine of enthusiastic hackers - in the best 
sense of the word (unlike Basic); because it is portable (arguably 
unlike Basic) and because I thought it had the shallowest learning curve 
amongst some of the supported options (C/C++, Java, Delphi, FoxPro - yes 
really).

I get the impression that you are a developer of some experience on a 
single language.  I wouldn't call myself a developer but I have written, 
modified and/or debugged software in upwards of 20 languages and, from 
that perspective, I would say that the second language you learn is 
probably the hardest for the simple reason that you have to put away a 
bunch of learned prejudices and learn a whole new set.  After three or 
four, you start to see the commonalities and differences and 'get' why 
they exist and you find yourself with a new set of learned prejudices 
:-) but you also gain the perspective that some languages are good at 
'this' while others are good at 'that'.

If it is any consolation, I'm still struggling with 
'pass-by-object-pointer' (or whatever it is called) and finding the 
'Pythonic Way' to do things but I'm still liking it.

My main message to you would be :  don't approach Python with a negative 
attitude, give it a chance and I'm sure you'll come to enjoy it.

Steve

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Thread

Python Newbie Piterrr <piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com> - 2013-02-21 13:26 -0800
  Re: Python Newbie Ian Kelly <ian.g.kelly@gmail.com> - 2013-02-21 14:54 -0700
  Re: Python Newbie MRAB <python@mrabarnett.plus.com> - 2013-02-21 21:58 +0000
  Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 08:59 +1100
  Re: Python Newbie Peter Pearson <ppearson@nowhere.invalid> - 2013-02-21 22:03 +0000
  Re: Python Newbie Dave Angel <davea@davea.name> - 2013-02-21 17:22 -0500
  Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-21 14:40 -0800
    Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 10:21 +1100
      Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-21 15:34 -0800
        Re: Python Newbie Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2013-02-21 23:48 +0000
        Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 11:32 +1100
        Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 11:58 -0700
      Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-21 15:34 -0800
    Re: Python Newbie Oscar Benjamin <oscar.j.benjamin@gmail.com> - 2013-02-21 23:27 +0000
    Re: Python Newbie Ian Kelly <ian.g.kelly@gmail.com> - 2013-02-21 16:55 -0700
    Re: Python Newbie rusi <rustompmody@gmail.com> - 2013-02-21 22:57 -0800
    Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-22 10:26 +0000
      Re: Python Newbie Steve Simmons <square.steve@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 12:05 +0100
      Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 22:23 +1100
    Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 16:04 -0700
    Re: Python Newbie Vito De Tullio <vito.detullio@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 09:23 +0100
    Re: Python Newbie "J.R." <groups_jr-1@yahoo.com.br> - 2013-02-24 23:02 -0300
      Re: Python Newbie Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2013-02-24 21:03 -0500
        Re: Python Newbie "J.R." <groups_jr-1@yahoo.com.br> - 2013-02-24 23:35 -0300
        Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 13:31 +1100
  Re: Python Newbie Dennis Lee Bieber <wlfraed@ix.netcom.com> - 2013-02-21 19:35 -0500
  Re: Python Newbie Mitya Sirenef <msirenef@lightbird.net> - 2013-02-21 23:50 -0500
    Re: Python Newbie Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 11:58 +0000
      Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 23:12 +1100
        Re: Python Newbie Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 13:50 +0000
          Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 01:05 +1100
            Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-23 00:03 +0000
              Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 11:21 +1100
          Re: Python Newbie Duncan Booth <duncan.booth@invalid.invalid> - 2013-02-22 14:26 +0000
            Re: Python Newbie Steve Simmons <square.steve@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 15:45 +0100
              Re: Python Newbie Duncan Booth <duncan.booth@invalid.invalid> - 2013-02-22 15:02 +0000
            Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 02:06 +1100
              Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-22 13:37 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Oscar Benjamin <oscar.j.benjamin@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 22:08 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Ian Kelly <ian.g.kelly@gmail.com> - 2013-02-22 15:45 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-22 15:38 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 11:17 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Dennis Lee Bieber <wlfraed@ix.netcom.com> - 2013-02-23 13:29 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 08:38 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 15:52 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 10:18 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-23 15:46 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Larry Hudson <orgnut@yahoo.com> - 2013-02-23 20:20 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2013-02-24 14:34 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 07:46 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 02:52 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2013-02-24 11:22 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-24 17:44 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 11:29 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Joshua Landau <joshua.landau.ws@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 21:35 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 14:43 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Joel Goldstick <joel.goldstick@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 18:05 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Joshua Landau <joshua.landau.ws@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 23:13 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 14:43 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Larry Hudson <orgnut@yahoo.com> - 2013-02-26 00:32 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie rurpy@yahoo.com - 2013-02-26 10:23 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2013-02-26 10:59 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie rurpy@yahoo.com - 2013-02-26 13:30 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 18:31 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 09:08 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Oscar Benjamin <oscar.j.benjamin@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 23:18 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Joshua Landau <joshua.landau.ws@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 22:51 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 15:38 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 10:45 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2013-02-24 15:53 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 16:08 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Joshua Landau <joshua.landau.ws@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 00:28 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2013-02-25 00:38 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2013-02-24 16:33 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Oscar Benjamin <oscar.j.benjamin@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 00:45 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2013-02-24 19:50 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-25 01:04 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 12:27 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 18:42 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 12:24 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Oscar Benjamin <oscar.j.benjamin@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 01:44 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 12:53 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie MRAB <python@mrabarnett.plus.com> - 2013-02-25 02:23 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2013-02-24 18:59 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 16:08 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2013-02-24 19:42 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 15:38 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Joshua Landau <joshua.landau.ws@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 23:21 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Dave Angel <davea@davea.name> - 2013-02-24 17:47 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Serhiy Storchaka <storchaka@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 14:40 +0200
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 07:46 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 22:23 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie MRAB <python@mrabarnett.plus.com> - 2013-02-24 00:11 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Dennis Lee Bieber <wlfraed@ix.netcom.com> - 2013-02-24 12:37 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 10:56 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2013-02-24 13:07 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Dennis Lee Bieber <wlfraed@ix.netcom.com> - 2013-02-24 21:01 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-22 15:38 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Terry Reedy <tjreedy@udel.edu> - 2013-02-22 20:04 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie rurpy@yahoo.com - 2013-02-22 18:48 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Mitya Sirenef <msirenef@lightbird.net> - 2013-02-22 20:47 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-23 02:02 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 13:18 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Grant Edwards <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2013-02-24 18:19 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 07:25 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Mitya Sirenef <msirenef@lightbird.net> - 2013-02-22 21:40 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 13:48 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2013-02-23 02:59 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Dennis Lee Bieber <wlfraed@ix.netcom.com> - 2013-02-23 13:34 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 08:40 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Dennis Lee Bieber <wlfraed@ix.netcom.com> - 2013-02-24 12:41 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-23 04:13 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Serhiy Storchaka <storchaka@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 11:48 +0200
                Re: Python Newbie Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 12:30 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Steve Simmons <square.steve@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 16:43 +0100
                Re: Python Newbie jmfauth <wxjmfauth@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 10:44 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Ian Kelly <ian.g.kelly@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 12:13 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2013-02-23 11:08 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie jmfauth <wxjmfauth@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 12:53 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 08:48 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2013-02-24 00:02 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 12:16 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie Matej Cepl <mcepl@redhat.com> - 2013-02-24 00:06 +0100
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 02:51 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Matej Cepl <mcepl@redhat.com> - 2013-02-24 00:04 +0100
                Re: Python Newbie Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2013-02-23 08:32 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Steve Simmons <square.steve@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 18:39 +0100
                Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 12:19 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2013-02-24 17:11 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 11:40 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Mitya Sirenef <msirenef@lightbird.net> - 2013-02-24 15:06 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie "Michael Ross" <gmx@ross.cx> - 2013-02-24 21:33 +0100
                Re: Python Newbie MRAB <python@mrabarnett.plus.com> - 2013-02-24 20:34 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Mark Lawrence <breamoreboy@yahoo.co.uk> - 2013-02-24 20:41 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2013-02-24 12:34 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 07:42 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2013-02-24 15:48 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Joshua Landau <joshua.landau.ws@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 21:58 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Dennis Lee Bieber <wlfraed@ix.netcom.com> - 2013-02-24 21:08 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Joshua Landau <joshua.landau.ws@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 02:59 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 07:47 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 07:58 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2013-02-24 16:08 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 08:44 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Mitya Sirenef <msirenef@lightbird.net> - 2013-02-24 17:40 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-25 01:11 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-25 00:42 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-24 18:34 -0700
                Re: Python Newbie Ethan Furman <ethan@stoneleaf.us> - 2013-02-24 14:33 -0800
                Re: Python Newbie Albert Hopkins <marduk@letterboxes.org> - 2013-02-24 18:32 -0500
                Re: Python Newbie Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 10:44 +1100
                Re: Python Newbie Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2013-02-25 01:06 +0000
                Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-24 11:40 -0800
              Re: Python Newbie piterrr.dolinski@gmail.com - 2013-02-22 13:37 -0800
      Re: Python Newbie Mitya Sirenef <msirenef@lightbird.net> - 2013-02-22 20:05 -0500
  Re: Python Newbie Gene Heskett <gheskett@wdtv.com> - 2013-02-23 12:32 -0500
  Re: Python Newbie Steve Simmons <square.steve@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 19:10 +0100
  Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 11:40 -0700
  Re: Python Newbie Michael Torrie <torriem@gmail.com> - 2013-02-23 12:15 -0700
  Re: Python Newbie Gene Heskett <gheskett@wdtv.com> - 2013-02-23 17:49 -0500
  Re: Python Newbie Nick Mellor <thebalancepro@gmail.com> - 2013-02-25 19:37 -0800

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