Introductory Material on Python

High level descriptions

• What is Python?
  Executive summary, with pointers for further reading.
• What is Python?
  Another executive summary, by Guido van Rossum.
• An Introduction to Python
  One page overview, with pointers for further reading.
• The first chapter of Aaron Watters' Python book
  (Internet Programming with Python; out of print) lists many things you can do with Python and many reasons why you should use it.
• Getting started with Python
  A SunWorld Online article broadly introducing Python.
• Python: Yet Another Object Oriented Interpretive Scripting Language
  Longer overview by Enno Davids, presented in the AUUG Victorian Chapter Technical Conference, 1997.
• Glue It All Together With Python
  Guido sells Python to the object components community.
• Python anyone?
  by Robert Richardson starts with comparing Python to Perl (``just another scripting language beginning with "P"?'') but quickly switches to selling Python in its own right.
• Why Python?
  Eric Raymond explains why Python is his favorite programming language.

Language comparisons

• Python compared to other languages
  A collection of pointers to documents comparing Python to Perl, Java, Tcl, Scheme...
• Comparing Python to Other Languages
  Guido's personal views on Python vs. other languages.

Introductions to Python programming for non-programmers

(This is a new and growing category. If you have anything to add, please write [email protected].)

• Instant Hacking
  Learn how to program with Python. By Magnus Lie Hetland.
• A Non-Programmer's Tutorial for Python
  By Josh Cogliati.
• Learning to Program
  An introduction to programming for those who have never programmed before, by Alan Gauld. It introduces several programming languages but has a strong emphasis on Python.
• How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
  Allen Downey's open source book has a Python version. With Jeff Elkner.

Introductions for programmers

• Getting Started With Python
  In Sunworld Online, by Cameron Laird and Kathryn Soraiz. Great to get a quick taste of Python.
• An Introduction to Python
  From Linux Journal Issue 21, by Jeff Bauer. Good to get started.
• Instant Python
  A 6-page minimal crash course by Magnus Lie Hetland.
• Python Programming for Beginners
  This article is a practical introduction to writing non-trivial applications in Python. By Jacek Artymiak.

Full tutorials

• Python Tutorial
  In the standard documentation, by Guido van Rossum. A classic.
• The What, Why, Who and Where of Python
  In UnixWorld Online, by Aaron Watters. Also a classic.
• Appendix E of Mark Lutz' Python book (Programming Python)
  Not available online, but chances are that you own the book and hadn't noticed this appendix!