Learning Python Exercise

Question

I have taken it upon myself to learn python. As it is my second language is has not been that hard to get the hang of. I am looking for some simple python projects to undertake so I can better learn the syntax of the language in general. I would specifically like to learn the syntax of arrays, lists, and dictionaries.

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Edit: I cant say that one of your answers are right or wrong but between all of you i have alot of material! Thanks everyone :D

ps I particularly liked Google's Python Class

Answer 1

Sorry to state the obvious, but why not read a good book or two, like:

Learning Python: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming

If you like more of a learn as you go approach, there's always the venerable:

Python Cookbook

Answer 2

Python Koans is a good interactive tutorial that covers basic syntax and advanced concepts.

Answer 3

I would highly recommend the following e-book for learning Python. It covers several different programming paradigms and is a very good introduction to Python in general.

www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/thinkCSpy.pdf

If you are already familiar with programming in general then Dive into Python is an unbeatable resource for getting the foundation of the language fast.

I have read both of the above and found them to be very helpful.

Answer 4

The Python Challenge has been by far the coolest exploratory stuff I've done with Python.

Take your time working through the problems - it's worth it.

Answer 5

Steve Lott's Building Skills In Python is great. He's prominent on this site, too.

Answer 6

Google's Python class has a bunch of projects you can work on.

Answer 7

Also in line with the Project Euler answer already provided, I'd recommend looking into some Code Kata. I generally go through these as part of learning any new language, and here's a link to several good ones:

http://codingdojo.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?KataCatalogue

Also a Stack Overflow question discussing Kata:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/44533/your-favorite-code-kata

Answer 8

A usual response to such things is Project Euler. Not necessarily special to python, but all those problems are solveable with python, and by working on them, you especially learn a lot of things that make Python special.