Starting Python as my first language...

[LupoBHS]

Hi, I just started learning Python and it's my first programming language and it's been taking me a while (3 months) to learn this language even though I'm a quick learner. I was just wondering how long does it usually take to get decently proficient at this language to maybe even get a job as a python programmer?

Also: I bought Magnus Lie Hetland's book on Beginning Python after I read his quick tutorial online and it's helping me a lot so far but there's just so much to this programming language but maybe that's how it is with all programming languages.

[thedotmaster]

10 years.
You can't become a programmer in a few hours, days or months - ignore what the books say.
Also, knowing the syntax *doesn't* make you a programmer.

[LupoBHS]

10 years.
You can't become a programmer in a few hours, days or months - ignore what the books say.
Also, knowing the syntax *doesn't* make you a programmer.

Haha wow that sucks. But oh well I'm up for the challenge . Programming is definantly something I want to do for the rest of my life. One more thing though, I want to learn several languages such as Perl, Javascript, Java, and C or C+ I was just wondering if these languages all have some similarity, that I can pick them up as soon as I become comfortable with Python after learning all the basics s like lists, dictionaries, loops and whatnot. How would you recommend I go about that?

[Smeezinator]

They're all somewhat similar logically and whatnot, but have different syntax rules and stuff. So once you know one it will be much easier to learn another. Although it gets easy to mix them up once you know a few, in my opinion

[thedotmaster]

They're all somewhat similar logically and whatnot, but have different syntax rules and stuff. So once you know one it will be much easier to learn another. Although it gets easy to mix them up once you know a few, in my opinion

That's right.
However you need to make sure that you don't get into bad habits now.
Firstly, do not learn C++ or Java as your first languages. You will not learn to program well.
However, you must not learn something like Visual Basic or any of the .NETs. This is simply because they'll get you into thinking the wrong way.
Also think about if you wish to go to university to study Computing or Computer Science. I am aiming for Cambridge or Durham and they both say that you ought not to learn the languages they teach you beforehand - or any other language like it. So if this is even the tiniest possibility then don't learn C++ or Java - and neither should be a first language.
One thing to note about python is you should always end a line with a ";". This is not necessary, but it will get you in to good habits. Moving from a Python with no ";"s to PHP or Pascal which need them is horrible.

[Power]

I am also starting python as my first language, although I allready know some HTML and java along with a few other languages its not much just basic simple stuff. Anyway I am reading straight offline from the python website on Programing for the non-programmers, and I found this link to be of much help so far... there are many other tutorials on the python website but i have read two so far and this one is looking like the way to go. I am not even halfway threw it and I have allready done about 15 programs with a little help. check it out. http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld/

[b1nd]

15 programs ay?

Code: Select all


print "hello world'


Code: Select all

loop=1
while loop==1:
    myString="hello World'
    print myString


that type of thing?