So you want to start programming and aren't sure what programming language to learn?
So, what's so great about python?
In C++, the popular Hello, world! program is :
#include stdout
int main()
{
std::cout << "Hello, world!\n";
}
with the output being: Hello, world!
The same program in Python would be:
print "Hello, world!"
Quite a difference, eh? The code is a lot cleaner than some of the other languages out there. Once you've got it down, it seems to be much easier to take a look at the code and know whats going on.
Python is also a very powerful language, able to do most anything that C++ or Java can do, and in some cases more. Such as extending classes (this brought on Jython, a python-integration into Java that allows programmers much more flexibility). Many programmer's will program in C++, but yet they will still use python for binding scripts and such.
Another great thing about Python is that you don't have to worry about assembly and compiling. You can run your programs right away and immediately track down any bugs or glitches.
If you want to start making games. Python has extended libraries, such as pygame or pyglet, available. There are 3d game engines such as Blender that you can program python scripts into to make the game engine even more flexible.
The best thing about learning python is that it will get you to start solving problems and thinking like a programmer. And once you are thinking like a programmer it is a fairly easy transition to almost any programming language.
So go ahead and give it a try. You can start learning at Learn Python (For Complete N00Bs).
It is a working progress and after I completely finish the python tutorial, i am going to move on to pygame tutorials. If you need any help, feel free to email me.
Good Books for Learning Python
What Programming Language Do YOU use?
Check out these vids to get an idea of what Python can accomplish!
Reader Feedback
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- jareddavison2009 jareddavison2009 Apr 6, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
- Great lens Derrick. You just need to fix the angle brackets in #include <iostream> by changing < to < and >
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- fireofphoenix2000 fireofphoenix2000 May 18, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
- Very interesting. I will definatly check out your toutorial.











