Scribd
Upload
3K views

Learn Python The Hard Way PDF

Uploaded by

Eddy Ervine
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3K views

Learn Python The Hard Way PDF

Uploaded by

Eddy Ervine
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Contents p Help

Preface

This simple book is meant to get you started in programming. The title says it's the hard way to learn to write code, but
it's actually not. It's only the "hard" way because it uses a technique called instruction. Instruction is where I tell you to
do a sequence of controlled exercises designed to build a skill through repetition. This technique works very well with
beginners who know nothing and need to acquire basic skills before they can understand more complex topics. It's used
in everything from martial arts to music to even basic math and reading skills.

This book instructs you in Python by slowly building and establishing skills through techniques such as practice and
memorization, then applying them to increasingly difficult problems. By the end of the book you will have the tools
needed to begin learning more complex programming topics. I like to tell people that my book gives you your
"programming black belt." What this means is that you know the basics well enough to now start learning programming.

If you work hard, take your time, and build these skills, you will learn to code.

Improvements in the First Edition for Python 3

This first edition for Python 3 of Learn Python The Hard Way now uses Python 3.6. I've standardized on this version of
Python because it has a new improved string formatting system that is easier to use than the previous 4 (or 3, I forget,
there were many). There are a few problems with Python 3.6 for beginners, but I'll be helping you navigate these issues
in the book. A particularly hairy problem is Python 3.6 has very poor error messages in some key areas that I'll be helping
you understand.

I have also improved the videos based on my experiences over the last five years teaching people Python. In the past the
videos simply let you watch me do the exercise. The fourth edition videos also show you how to break---and then fix---
every exercise. This skill is called "debugging." It will teach you how to fix problems you run into but also how Python
runs the programs you're creating. The goal of this new methodology is to build a mental model of how Python runs your
code so you can more easily figure out why it's broken. You'll also learn many useful tricks for debugging broken
software.

Lastly, the fourth edition fully supports Microsoft Windows 10 from beginning to end. The previous edition focused
mostly on the Unix style systems such as macOS and Linux, with Windows being more of an afterthought. At the time I
started writing the fourth edition Microsoft had started to take open source tools and developers seriously, and it was
difficult to ignore them as a serious Python development platform. The videos will feature Microsoft windows using
Python in various scenarios and will also show macOS and Linux for full compatibility. I'll tell you about any gotchas on
each platform, cover installation instructions, and provide any other tips I can give you.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Angela for helping me with the first two versions of this book. Without her I probably wouldn't have
bothered to finish it at all. She did the copy-editing of the first draft and supported me immensely while I wrote it.

I'd also like to thank Greg Newman for doing the original cover art, Brian Shumate for early website designs, and all of
the people who read this book and took the time to send me feedback and corrections.

Thank you.

Buy The Python 3 Edition! Other Buying Options

When you buy Learn Python 3 The Hard Way, you'll receive BUY ON AMAZON
the Python 3 Edition PDF, special access to a paid HTML
version, and 12 hours of 1080p video, one video for each
exercise. All files are DRM free and you can download them
BUY FROM BARNES & NOBLE
to your computer for offline viewing. Digital Download
Only! You do not get a physical book.

$
29. 99
BUY DIGITAL DOWNLOAD FROM ZED

TRY A A FREE SAMPLE OF LEARN PYTHON THE HARD WAY RIGHT HERE, VIDEO LECTURES

NOT INCLUDED.

q Previous Lesson Next Lesson r

HOME ABOUT CONTACT


!
© ZED A. SHAW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

You might also like