Programming Question

[seems_27]

I just started learning programming on website called codecademy.com and i was wondering if this is a good place to start. I'm trying to learn python.

[zenith]

Definitely a good start. Check out ande's tutorial on setting up a python environment and our eBooks section as well, you'll find lots there.

[seems_27]

and can python be used to make applications for android

[KingCasra]

Yes it is a very good place to start.

[techb]

and can python be used to make applications for android

Yes if you use what is called SL4A, or scripting layer for android. You can pack your scripts in an apk or just run them in the interpreter on the device.

Although, GUI coding is very limited and basic unless you use html and javascript to pass vars and data.

[L0aD1nG]

I just started learning programming on website called codecademy.com and i was wondering if this is a good place to start. I'm trying to learn python.

I think this is a great place to start : http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/
if you are looking for something online.

[shimomura]

If you aren't capable of figuring out the answer to that question by Googling it then I won't even begin to mention Java and the Android SDK...Dammit, I just did. Anyways I agree with zenith. Continue with CodeAcademy and supplement with texts from our EBook section.

Good one for a beginner:
http://upload.evilzone.org/download.php?id=3936967&type=zip

[Matriplex]

Just don't become a pyfag.

[techb]

Just don't become a pyfag.

^This. It is really easy to only do python. I am guilty of it, but really you should know a few languages.

[Comm4nd0]

I learned from Python for dummies. As accurate as the title is for me it's written really well and teaches you the basics.

but from me, my best advice is read read read as much as you can from as many different places. Code as much as you can as you can get skill fade.

that's my 2 cents

[Kiuhnm]

If Python is your first programming language, then you should also learn how to program, that is, how to solve problems. Python is a language. What you say in that language is another matter. You should read something about algorithms and data structures.
I like "Introduction to Algorithms" (http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-3rd-Thomas-Cormen/dp/0262033844/) but maybe you should start with something lighter.

[seems_27]

so learning algorithms will give me a better understanding of programming? I couldn't just read the python book and then try to build a simple program?

[Kiuhnm]

so learning algorithms will give me a better understanding of programming? I couldn't just read the python book and then try to build a simple program?

Think about chess. Learning Python is just learning how the pieces move. Learning algorithms, techniques and data structures is like learning openings, middle game tactics, strategies, etc...
It all depends on what kind of player you want to become. If you just want to play for fun then learn the rules and play. If you also want to be a good player, then you'll need more than that.
IMHO, real programming is 90% thinking and 10% writing code.

Here's a little problem: you have a list of n numbers. Can you find out which number, if any, occurs more than n/2 times in O(n)?
If you can solve it, then you're a good programmer otherwise you're just a programmer.
That's my opinion. Others may think differently.

[Xires]

Concentration on solution design is actually far more important than language familiarity.  You can look up syntax; you cannot always look up the perfect solution for your very specific requirements.  Being able to determine the issue and design an adequate solution is language-agnostic.  Thus, it would behoove you to understand more about programming overall rather than just 'how to grab tweets using python' or 'how to animate buttons using jquery'.

In other words; tutorial are useless, books(particularly those suitable as class texts) are better but primarily provide only syntactical information with a few basic examples or exercises to reinforce topic absorption.  Neither show you how to break a problem down and design a solution.  Experience is, of course, the better teacher but without knowing what you should be trying to learn from your experience, your perspective is doomed to require many iterations before grasping the concepts appropriately.

But, alas, starting *somewhere* is better than nowhere at all.  Thus, choosing a language to start with is a common first step.  Just make sure that you are gleaning the right information from your sources and don't disregard language-agnostic solution design(including algorithm design).

[seems_27]

Well should i take a class on algorithms and design before learning the python language? So, basically your saying that if i have an idea on making an application I could have a hard time doing certain steps because i don't algorithms and design?