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Learn Python The Hard Way VS NetHack

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

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Learn Python The Hard Way logo Learn Python The Hard Way

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

NetHack logo NetHack

NetHack is a single player dungeon exploration game that runs on a wide variety of computer...
  • Learn Python The Hard Way Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-16
  • NetHack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-19

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.

NetHack features and specs

  • Replayability
    NetHack offers immense replayability due to its procedurally generated levels, ensuring that no two runs are exactly the same. Players can experiment with different character classes, items, and strategies to discover new aspects of the game.
  • Depth and Complexity
    The game is renowned for its deep and intricate mechanics. It requires players to think critically and plan their moves, taking into account a wide variety of factors such as item properties, monster behaviors, and environmental hazards.
  • Community and Legacy
    Since its release in 1987, NetHack has built a strong, dedicated community that contributes to its development and fosters a collaborative learning environment. Extensive guides and forums are available to help players navigate the game's complexities.
  • Free and Open Source
    NetHack is completely free to play and its source code is available to the public. This openness has allowed for numerous porting and modification opportunities, making it accessible on multiple platforms.
  • Humor and Easter Eggs
    The game is filled with a unique sense of humor and numerous Easter eggs, including references to popular culture, literature, and mythology. These touches add an extra layer of enjoyment for players who appreciate such nuances.

Possible disadvantages of NetHack

  • Steep Learning Curve
    NetHack can be difficult for new players to pick up due to its intricate mechanics and lack of in-game tutorials. Beginners might find themselves overwhelmed by the depth of the game.
  • Graphics and Interface
    The game employs very basic ASCII graphics which can be off-putting for players accustomed to more modern and visually appealing games. Its text-based interface may also appear dated and cumbersome.
  • Permadeath
    NetHack features permanent character death, meaning that once a player dies, they must start over from the beginning. While this adds to the game's challenge, it can be frustrating for players who dislike losing all their progress.
  • Time-Consuming
    Due to its complex nature and the required investment in learning its mechanics, NetHack can be very time-consuming. Players may need to dedicate significant amounts of time to see meaningful progress.
  • Retro Appeal
    The retro style and classic gameplay may not appeal to everyone, especially younger gamers or those who prefer modern design and more streamlined experiences.

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.

Analysis of NetHack

Overall verdict

  • NetHack is highly regarded by fans of traditional roguelikes and is frequently praised for being one of the best examples of the genre. However, its ASCII graphics and difficulty may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who are not accustomed to retro-style gaming.

Why this product is good

  • NetHack is considered a classic in the roguelike genre, known for its deep gameplay mechanics, high replayability, and the vast variety of interactions possible within its richly detailed ASCII world. Players appreciate its steep learning curve and the sense of accomplishment from mastering its challenges.

Recommended for

  • Fans of traditional roguelikes
  • Gamers who enjoy challenging gameplay
  • Players interested in open-ended gameplay with numerous ways to solve problems
  • Enthusiasts of retro and text-based games
  • Those who appreciate games with a high degree of replayability

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

NetHack videos

NETHACK: The dev team thinks of everything

More videos:

  • Review - NetHack is the Best Hack!

Category Popularity

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Development
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Adventure
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, NetHack should be more popular than Learn Python The Hard Way. It has been mentiond 23 times since March 2021. 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 / about 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: over 3 years ago
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NetHack mentions (23)

  • My other email client is a daemon
    One needn't use Emacs to play Nethack, one of the original roguelikes: https://nethack.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • First version of nethack with a bestiary?
    Prior to 3.1.x the dat subdirectory didn't exist yet but data.base was present somewhere, possibly in the src subdirectory instead. I don't know whether it goes as far back as hack 1.x or even nethack 2.x. The source code for a bunch of old versions is present at https://nethackwiki.com/ but I'm not sure whether the data files are all there too. The source code for the most recent released version (3.6.7) is... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Is there a discord?
    I am not sure what extra benefits the Steam version has, but the game is available for free either as download on nethack.org, or to play online at something like alt.org/nethack or hardfought.org. Source: about 3 years ago
  • REMINDER: You only need two people to play D&D
    You don't even need two people to play D&D, Nethack is great! Source: over 3 years ago
  • I just bought factorio
    I've always been fond of the last quote on nethack.org. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead - Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a Survival, Turn-Based, Post-Apocalypse, and Single-Player video game produced by CleverRaven.

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.

Shattered Pixel Dungeon - A Roguelike RPG, with randomly generated levels, items, enemies, and traps!

Think Python - Learning Resources

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup - Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup is an open-source, single-player, role-playing roguelike game of...