Speak Geek with a Forked Tongue: Python
Guest blog: Cassie Nesler (character from the novel Along the River Road by S. C. Ashby)
I decided to break from RubberDucking to offer some suggestions for Python
coding books especially for beginners. My Aunt Jackie (who is a librarian) has both adults and young kids always asking her for a beginner’s guide to Python. So, my Aunt asked me to do a review of what I thought are the best books for total noobs to Python to get started with Python coding.
When you read my story in the novel Along the River Road by S. C. Ashby, 
you will notice that I do a lot of coding. The novel shows me coding in html, Java, Javascript and PHP.
I am fluent in all Cs too: C, C+, C++ and C#.
I do have a love of Python, but I will share that enthusiasm in another blog.
My very first suggestion is to visit the Python Software Foundation online as they have free materials for getting started as well as a beginner’s guide for non-programmers. So, check-out these urls:
https://www.python.org/about/gettingstarted
https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/Download
https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers
If you are an elementary school student with no experience in computer programming, then start here with Python for Kids by Jason R. Biggs. Clear, simple language with funny graphics that keep this book from being intimidating. You get to investigate sample programs while learning new terms and learning how to use Python language to draw shapes and make patterns and using fundamental data structures and control structures. Best of all you will have fun doing it!
Another book, Python in Easy Steps by Mike McGrath, starts by walking you through how to install the Python interpreter onto your computer (it is available free at python.org). After you download and install the Python interpreter, you are ready to tackle the instructions for creating your own programs using the book’s examples. It gives you the Python language basics through clear examples and practice scripts. If you are a total noob, then start with this book after you have already downloaded the Beginner’s Guide for Non-programmers at python.org.
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python by Al Sweigart is another freebie you can download. This book also walks you through the processes involved with programming. It uses clear, simple explanations and covers in detail the important concepts you need to know to used Python. It gives lots of practical examples that even the most basic noob can grasp easily and put to use.
I personally liked the project approach to the book by Eric Matthes, Python Crash Course. This might be the third book you get as you work to improve and practice your Python skills in practical ways. Clearly written steps and fun graphics make it easy to move forward in your Python coding fluency.
Head First Python by Paul Barry is perhaps the coolest way to learn Python because of its emphasis on visuals and not all that wordy text that slows down learning sometimes for kids who are not strong readers. You will quickly get up to full slither in Python programming fundamentals of Python as well as working with programming tasks like built-in functions and data structures. This guide even helps you in building your own web applications while unlocking the secrets to exception handling and other concepts. I like how this tutorial chunks information into bite-size sections making it easier to quickly learn the new concepts of programming with Python.
A Byte of Python by C. H. Swaroop is a free digital download that helps a complete beginner understand the Python language. No matter if all you know how to do with your computer is turn it on and surf the Web, this tutorial covers the Python concepts with plenty of practice exercises. And it is FREE!
These materials will be available for check-out or download at the town library right here in Doddville, Arkansas. You can also get some of these as free downloads off the Web and the rest through your favorite bookseller online or in their brick-n-mortar store. So, whether you are old school or in school, I recommend these materials to help you learn how to speak geek with a forked tongue!
