intersted in learning Python as a first programming language
 

Curious to hear of success stories using Python as a first programming language and wondering if it not a good practice to do procedural after oop languages.

I started with C a month ago and picked up a lot but I do not think its the way I should continue since I want to get small freelance work on top of other freelance work that I do and I don't see a market for a fledgling C programmer.

Please tell me what you think!

Depends what you want to do as a freelancer, I guess.

In terms of business application, here are the TIOBE results for various programming languages:

http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/conte...pci/index.html

Python does look great as a first time programming language. In universities, the current trend is to use Java as the introductory programming language.

well, I work as a moving light tech/op which has nothing to do with computer programming. But my interest in computer programming now surpasses my "day job". Does anyone have the O'Reilly python pocket reference? it seems that its agood book to carry around and read often while on commute.

i think i will pursue python as a first language... thanks

In an old fashioned manner I would suggest to start from a language that does _not_ push OOP paradigm deep down into you throat.

I saw too much trouble caused by wrong usage of OOP concepts, and the root cause was lack of knowledge of when and how much OOP can cost.

But I thought Python does not push oop but its one of various choices on how to solve a problem??

Plus, since I have no exp whatsoever, save for as a savvy computer user, I thought it would be useful to start out with a 'glue' language that can utilize pre-built components to solve problems.

A language that can get me some coding work possibly faster than C (I began with C as a first language a month ago) and still be capable of not ending up coding between HTML tags which is what I am not really interested in.

One language that can get me quick exp.

Python is very much based on the "everything is an object" idea.

I.e. practically always one can write foo.print.

I suggest to read http://www.perl.com/lpt/a/997 - and leave aside Perl6
propaganda, even though I am very much a Perl guy. A very interesting overview of modern languages.

The language that fascinates me currently is OCaml, by the way, but I do not have time to seriously start dealing with it.

First of all, OCaml has a strong and well defined functional part, and I got ready for a functional part through Perl.

Second, OCaml is strictly typed, but types by default are inferred, so often you do not have to declare them.

Third, if you wish, there is a well defined imperative (procedural) part.

Fourth, there is a well defined OOP part.

The last, but not least - performance. Second after "C".

Python can be implemented as an object-oriented (ala java), imperative (ala C), or functional (ala scheme or Ocaml) programming language:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_...mming_language)

yeah... I've gotten pretty exited about python knowing that still for me, later down the road, i can learning C to write device drivers or at least read the Linux kernel clearly. But python is becoming very tasty. Is there a market for fledgling python coders?? You know, taken under someone's wing??

Python is popular because of its readability, which makes it easier to understand other's code, as well as its extensive library to do many things quickly. Many people think it makes them more productive than other languages. The philosophy is that for any given task there is one preferred, simplest way to do it, and that everyone should do it that way.

ooh... sounds constraining. But if it gets the job done, then good.

Do you use Python?

Do you prefer it to other languages and can anyone offer me a good approach to get coding exp?

I just downloaded and printed Python's tutorial... I will start to play around with it soon! It looks good but I have no programming experience what so ever!

wow cool. Me too... got the Learning Python book.

Why did you choose Python??

Is there an argument between clumps of code seen as objects and the procedural approach in regard to Python vs C...??

I would recommend Lua - very elegant IMO.