Depending on your previous programming background, we use different sides through the available readings:
- If you have never programmed before: you should start with a general introduction to programming and Python. We use Python for Software Design: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist, by Allen Downey. This is a very good descriptor text that uses Python to present basic ideas of computer science and programming.
- If you have used a programming language before, but not in Python: you should read the rest of this chapter for a quick overview of Python, and how it may differ from other programming languages with which you are familiar.
- If you have write a program in Python: you could skip to the next chapter.
In the rest of this chapter, we will assume you know how to program in some programming language, but are new to Python. We will consider Java as an informal running comparative program. In this section we will take what we think are the most important differences between Python and what you may already know about programming; but these notes are by no means complete.