Getting Started

New to Python, or new to programming entirely? This section collects beginner-friendly guides, example programs, and practice exercises. Most of this content was written by community members over the years and reflects a range of teaching styles. The official Python tutorial is still the best single starting point, but the pages here fill in gaps and offer different angles.

Beginner Guides

• Beginner’s Guide – the original community-maintained guide to getting set up and finding learning resources

• Beginner’s Guide – a single-page version with installation help and first steps

• Beginner’s Guide (Chinese) – Python beginner guide translated into Chinese

• Moving to Python from Other Languages – what experienced programmers should know when picking up Python

Learning by Example

• Simple Programs – progressively longer code examples, from one-liners to multi-class programs

• Simple Programs (Chinese) – the same graduated examples, translated into Chinese

• Learn Python – learning Python through XML, XSLT, and other practical code samples

• While Loop – a focused explanation of while loops with usage patterns

Practice and Project Ideas

• Coding Project Ideas – a curated collection of project ideas that benefit the Python community

• Coding Project Ideas – single-page listing of projects ranging from week-long to month-long

• Problem Sets – programming challenge sites with Python solutions and commentary

• Problem Sets – links to online judges and problem archives for practice

• Projects for Learning – concrete project suggestions for people who learn best by building things