New to Python. Help please?

[themaxt]

I'm 13 and would like to learn how to use Python. I have a Mac from school that I'll have to return in a couple of weeks. My home computer runs XP. I sort of know how to use Terminal on Mac, and know nothing about XPs command line. Can anyone recommend a good tutorial for someone like me who has absolutely no programming experience?

[andrew1992]

Python tutorial, or command prompt tutorial?

[StrayEddy]

Download python here:

windows:
http://www.python.org/download/windows/

mac:
http://www.python.org/download/mac/

Then install this ide:

windows/mac:
- Eclipse with PyDev plugin

Good luck

[StrayEddy]

Try that out for a beginner tutorial:

http://learn-to-program.net/index.html

[ve4cib]

Fortunately to use Python on Windows you don't actually need to know much (if anything) about the Windows command line. When you install Python there will be a "Python Command Line" that you can run from the Start menu. Click on that and you'll get the Python interpreter, same as if you ran the "python" command on Linux or Mac.

To actually write python code all you really need is the interpreter and a basic text editor (Notepad, Textpad, Geany, Notepad++, etc...).

The Python tutorials in the earlier posts are pretty good, and should help get you started.

[themaxt]

Python tutorial, or command prompt tutorial?

python.

[BkkBonanza]

I've always felt for me that the best way to learn is to jump in and do something I'm interested in. I figure out on the way how to use the language and tools to get what I want. Not everyone learns well that way - some need to follow a path of examples and read a lot of theory. I find that unsatisfying so I always have a project goal that the learning focuses towards. Programming is 99% problem solving whatever language or tools you use.

The online Python reference docs are clumsy at best and while I've used them extensively they often require a lot of patient detective work to use.

[themaxt]

Download python here:

windows:
http://www.python.org/download/windows/

mac:
http://www.python.org/download/mac/

Then install this ide:

windows/mac:
- Eclipse with PyDev plugin

Good luck

what version do i pick?
and do you think you could give me a link to the eclipse download? thanks

[llanitedave]

I wouldn't recommend Eclipse for a raw beginner. I'd follow ve4cib's suggestion, and use something like "(Notepad, Textpad, Geany, Notepad++, etc...)".

I'm using Geany and finding it plenty capable.

[themaxt]

I wouldn't recommend Eclipse for a raw beginner. I'd follow ve4cib's suggestion, and use something like "(Notepad, Textpad, Geany, Notepad++, etc...)".

I'm using Geany and finding it plenty capable.

Sounds good.
Is IDLE ok? 'cause, I think I prefer it when the text changes color as it's recognized as something. That way I can tell I didn't mess up.