Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Learn Python The Hard Way VS Lambda School

Compare Learn Python The Hard Way VS Lambda School and see what are their differences

Learn Python The Hard Way logo Learn Python The Hard Way

One of the best guides to learn Python & coding in general

Lambda School logo Lambda School

A full Computer Science education - free until you get a job
  • Learn Python The Hard Way Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-16
  • Lambda School Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-08

Learn Python The Hard Way features and specs

  • Hands-On Practice
    The book emphasizes learning through practical exercises, helping learners to reinforce their understanding by actively writing code and solving problems.
  • Structured Learning Path
    The book offers a well-defined progression path that gradually increases in complexity, making it suitable for beginners who need a clear roadmap.
  • Focus on Basics
    It emphasizes fundamental concepts and core programming skills, ensuring a solid foundation in Python programming.
  • Immediate Feedback
    By practicing exercises and checking their code against provided solutions, learners receive immediate feedback which facilitates faster learning.

Possible disadvantages of Learn Python The Hard Way

  • Limited Depth
    The book may not cover advanced Python topics in depth, which might be a limitation for intermediate learners needing more comprehensive material.
  • Learning Style Restriction
    The 'Hard Way' approach may not suit everyone, especially learners who prefer theoretical explanations before diving into coding exercises.
  • Paid Access
    Some of the content, especially the extended and video materials, require purchase, which might be a drawback for those seeking completely free resources.
  • Rigid Problem Solving
    Some users may find the exercise solutions to be somewhat rigid, not encouraging alternative problem-solving techniques or creative code implementations.

Lambda School features and specs

  • Income Share Agreement
    Lambda School offers an Income Share Agreement (ISA), allowing students to defer tuition payments until they secure a job making at least $50,000 per year. This reduces upfront financial risk for students.
  • Remote Learning
    The program is entirely online, providing flexibility for students to learn from anywhere in the world.
  • Comprehensive Curriculum
    Lambda School offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of in-demand tech skills, including web development, data science, and machine learning.
  • Career Services
    The school provides extensive career services, including job placement support, resume reviews, and interview preparation to help students secure employment after graduation.
  • No Upfront Cost
    Students can enroll without any upfront cost, making the program accessible to those who may not have the financial means to pay for a traditional coding boot camp.

Possible disadvantages of Lambda School

  • High Deferred Cost
    Although there are no upfront costs, the total cost of the ISA can be high, potentially up to $30,000, which is more expensive than some other coding boot camps.
  • Intensive Time Commitment
    The program is very intensive and requires full-time dedication, which can be challenging for individuals who need to balance other responsibilities such as work or family.
  • Variable Job Market
    Job placement success can vary significantly. While many students do find jobs, some may struggle, particularly in a competitive job market.
  • Risk of Debt
    If a student does not secure a high-paying job immediately, the deferred tuition can become a financial burden, particularly if the student is unable to make the minimum required salary.
  • Limited Financial Assistance
    Since the program relies heavily on ISAs, there may be limited options for students seeking traditional financial assistance or loans.

Analysis of Learn Python The Hard Way

Overall verdict

  • Learn Python The Hard Way is considered a good resource for beginners, especially those who prefer hands-on learning.

Why this product is good

  • This book adopts a practical approach, focusing on writing and testing code to reinforce concepts. It favors direct practice over theoretical explanation, which can be beneficial for learners who appreciate experiential learning. It also introduces debugging early on, which is a crucial skill for programming.

Recommended for

  • Absolute beginners who are new to programming.
  • Individuals who prefer learning by doing rather than just reading.
  • People looking for a structured, exercise-driven way to learn Python.

Learn Python The Hard Way videos

Learn Python the Hard Way by Zed A Shaw: Review | Complete python tutorial. Learn Python coding

More videos:

  • Review - Learn Python The Hard Way - Review

Lambda School videos

Lambda School Coding Bootcamp Worth The Money or SCAM

More videos:

  • Review - Lambda School: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
  • Review - Was Lambda School Worth It? His Life has TOTALLY changed | #grindreel #lambdaschool

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Learn Python The Hard Way and Lambda School)
Online Learning
57 57%
43% 43
Education
42 42%
58% 58
Development
100 100%
0% 0
Education & Reference
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Lambda School might be a bit more popular than Learn Python The Hard Way. We know about 19 links to it since March 2021 and only 14 links to Learn Python The Hard Way. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Learn Python The Hard Way mentions (14)

  • Cloudflare Introduces Default Blocking of A.I. Data Scrapers
    These kinds of comparisons rarely lead to good discussions. Let's instead be focused and talk about real stuff. Consider https://learnpythonthehardway.org/ for example. It has influenced a generation of Python developers. Not just the main website, but the tons of Python code and Python-related content it inspired. Why would anyone write these kinds of textbooks/websites/guides if AI can replace them? Arguibly,... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Should I learn Python with GPT?
    Try this instead: https://learnpythonthehardway.org/ LLMs will give you an uncertain percentage of wrong answers. Itโ€™s like having a teacher that lies to you and doesnโ€™t know when they are lying and has zero understanding of the information they give you. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • How to Get Started as a New Open Source Contributor to PgAdmin4
    Basic Python Knowledge: Ensure you have a solid understanding of Python basics. Resources like Python.org and Learn Python the Hard Way are great starting points. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Python Concepts for Product Manager.
    Go here: https://learnpythonthehardway.org/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What is the best way to learn VFX Programming and Concepts for someone who is more โ€œartโ€ minded.
    Also, I havenโ€™t looked at it in a super long time but personally I got started with Python using https://learnpythonthehardway.org after originally training to be an artist and ended up having a pretty successful career in Pipeline instead. Source: about 3 years ago
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Lambda School mentions (19)

  • Switching careers
    Https://lambdaschool.com/ - a remote-first bootcamp that has a unique way of paying. No upfront cost, but they take a % of your salary when you get a job for the first two years until you pay their full cost. Worth reading up on some of the criticism of them before signing up, though. Source: over 4 years ago
  • LF a Certification Program
    Https://lambdaschool.com/ (these guys offer a free intro, might be good to test out and see if their style is to your liking.). Source: over 4 years ago
  • Advice for a nurse that wants to become a programmer
    While you don't need a boot camp, I highly recommend Lambda School (https://lambdaschool.com). They charge nothing upfront and you only pay them back (17% up to $30k) when you get a high paying job. They have great partnerships with employers and help place students so that's the biggest reason I recommend them. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Been really poor, homeless, now Iโ€™m in college and have managed to save up 3000. I want to turn this money into more money. What would you do?
    Have you considered https://lambdaschool.com/? You don't pay for tuition upfront, and they place you with a paid internship after, and if you get a job you start paying a small part of your salary to them for two years. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Late 20โ€™s, no education, some savings, should I work full time and save a bit more or start school?
    Would you consider going through a school with an Income Share Agreement where you pay no tuition up front but pay it as part of your well paying job later? Eg https://lambdaschool.com. Source: almost 5 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Learn Python The Hard Way and Lambda School, you can also consider the following products

Google's Python Class - Assorted educational materials provided by Google.

TripleTen - TripleTen: online part-time coding bootcamps.

A Byte of Python - A Byte of Python is a Python programming tutorial and learning book that teaches you how to program with the Python programming language.

Hack Club - Free and open source high school coding clubs ๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿ’ฅ

Think Python - Learning Resources

Holberton School - High-quality software engineering education for the many