Code Academy

[Psywar]

So I decided I wanted to teach myself Python.. I really need to find a new job and I want to do something in the technology field.

So I started the "Learn Python the Hard Way." Program http://learnpythonthehardway.org/

 

I am really enjoying it and what not. I was posting on Facebook/Twitter about attempting to learn this and Bryan (d3bruts1d) mentioned to me about the website codecademy.com.

So I gave it a shot and I am diggin' it because I don't have to keep creating new files in Notepad++ and re-typing commands in PowerShell.

In theory it is more streamline and slicker for learning, BUT I am having an issue and I was wondering if anyone else has the same issues..

 

So first off.. The website hates Chrome. So I went back to IE 64bit and it at least loaded everything. Now I am running into issues with it not wanting to submit my lessons.

I will type out a bunch of code hit Submit and it just sits there acting like it is sending but never does, so I have to hit refresh and type the code all out again.

This happens like every other lesson..

 

Anyone else have any of these issues? 

 

[WhenKittensATK]

Try clearing your cache. I haven't used Code Academy in awhile, but never had issues with it when I did (Chrome + Win 7 64 bit).

Edited June 15, 2013 by AZNguyen

[Psywar]

Hey hey! Seems to be working in Chrome just fine now!

Thanks for that!

[Psywar]

This makes me smile. 

 

[Nerm]

Ah python you have always had a place in my heart. lol

[Prunes]

Psywar, I too wanted to learn a little programming, since it's always a neat skill to have, and I also used learnpythonthehardway.com. But is codeacademy better/easier? I never got far, since school ended up taking too much of my time. But I have time now and the next year before college, so I would like to work on it.

[Psywar]

I am going to give code academy another month or two.

Honestly though if it was not for the 15/20 or so hours I spent on learnpythonthehardway.com I don't think the code academy website would be going as smoothly as it is.

IMO it does not explain stuff as well as LPTHW does.. 

I think once I get stuck and can no longer figure out what is going on I am going to go back to using the LPTHW website. 

 

As far as ease though code academy is my top choice. You don't need to save anything, download anything. It is all right there ready to be used and worked on.

[Psywar]

There is also this: https://developers.google.com/edu/python/introduction

 

I don't know if you read Life Hacker, but I am a huge fan of their website and someone posted an article on How they Learned Programming in 8 Weeks.

http://lifehacker.com/how-i-taught-myself-to-code-in-eight-weeks-511615189

 

My friend who does this for a living at IBM though told me not to get my hopes up.

He recently had to learn Python and he told me it was going to take far longer than that. At least he said with no background skill in any other programming language.

[SpeedCrazy]

I didn't really give it much time but i didn't like code academy, but i found udacity really helpful in learning python.

Only problem is when i used their site it was the only computer science course they had, so i'd be hard put to tell you which of those courses it was.. but it was simple and straight forward, no saving or downloading.(note: at times it dumbed it down too much, but i can deal with that better than taking jumps way above my head when i am just getting started)

[Nerm]

https://www.coursera.org/ is also a good source of learning.

[Psywar]

https://www.coursera.org/ is also a good source of learning.

 

Very nice! I could see myself using this site for lots of things!

[Prunes]

I've used coursera.com quite a bit, and I find most of the courses really good. Some of them I did the home work, while some was just for educating and knowledge expanding purposes. It works well for both. Their python class is pretty good, but like with LPTHW I didn't have time due to school work...