Learn Python for Free with Online Guides and Mac
Want to learn a new programming language? Python is one of the hippest languages in use these days, but why pay for books and coursework when you can do this all on your own, for free, on your Mac? You can do exactly that with some free online resources to learn Python, including a free book called Dive Into Python 3.
Let’s discuss various Python 3 resources so if you’re interested in learning this powerful programming language you can get started.
Before beginning, know that Python 3 is the focus of many books, but but many versions of Mac OS X include Python 2.7, so you’ll want to download the latest version in many cases. You can read about installing Python 3 on Mac here. Here’s all you’ll need to get started:
Resources for Learning Python 3 on Mac
- Text Editor with Python syntax highlighting BBEdit or TextWrangler is highly recommended too, it’s the older free little brother to BBEdit (which also has a free light version)
- Install the latest Python 3 release for Mac from http://python.org/download/)
- https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io (mirror of online book)
- DiveIntoPython on Internet Web Archive (original site is down, but book is available on archive.org)
- Download the entire book as a PDF (mirrored on UCSF.edu)
- Python.org official tutorial
- Python.org reference guide
- Xcode – the Xcode developer suite is free download from the App Store
You can also clone the git repo with the following command syntax if desired:
git clone git://github.com/diveintomark/diveintopython3.git
Once you have the PDF you can keep it local or you can then save and open the PDF on your iPad into iBooks for quick reference if you want.
Thanks to Mike for the link to HackerNews, where the discussion thread also include recommendations for some other helpful resources.
Update: Another good Python book that is available for free online viewing is Learn Python the Hard Way, thanks to those who recommended this one.
Do you have any other helpful Python tips, learning resources, or other free information? Share in the comments below!
new in language programming, want to learn phyton, basic is not clear, need assistance
Is this the correct URL?
http://www.diveintopython3.net/
The URL in the article didn’t seem to work.
Thanks.
This is another free online book and it is better for total newcomers
http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/
App Store will not let me have Xcode 4.1. Says requires Lion. Is 3.2.6 (for Snow Leopard) OK? tia.
Nope. Apple is being like Micro$oft with this.
Yes 3.2.6 is fine for using Xcode IDE. You don’t need Xcode to use Python 3 though if you install it separately.
I grabbed the PDF for Dive Into Python 3 but I couldn’t find a download option for HTML5 guide, so I just went ahead and “Print as PDF” and joined the pages, it turns out ok.
Why do you need XCode at all? Python is part of standard Unix; AFAIK all you should need is the updated Python package and a text editor.
Will definitely be checking this out! Thank you!
XCode may install a newer version of Python than what ships with OS X, plus Xcode is a decent code editor. It may be an optional step, but I already have Xcode 4.3 installed so I can’t confirm that myself.
What Xcode is it for ?
It shouldn’t matter, the book is for Python 3 though so just be sure to download that.
If infortmioan were soccer, this would be a goooooal!
The “Dive Into” books are pretty good, there is also a free one for HTML5
Wow! What a great roundup of learning tools, which I’ve paid for in the past. If you’re at all interested in learning Python, take advantage of this free offer.
Chris
Friends of Mac