Software Alternatives & Startups

Learn Python The Hard Way VS Practice Makes Python

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

Learn Python The Hard Way

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

Rating
0 reviews
Practice Makes Python

Your second Python book - build fluency through 50 exercises

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Learn Python The Hard Way seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 14 times since March 2021.

social mentions
14 vs 0
Online Learning popularity
88% vs 12%
alternatives listed
88 vs 16

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way
Practice Makes Python
Website learnpythonthehardway.org lerner.co.il
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way 4 features
Practice Makes Python 0 features
  • 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

  • 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.

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way
Practice Makes Python

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.

Overall verdict

  • Practice Makes Python by Reuven Lerner is a well-regarded exercise-based book/course aimed at helping intermediate Python learners solidify their skills through deliberate practice. It's good for those who want structured problem-solving repetition rather than just conceptual learning.

Why this product is good

  • Written by Reuven Lerner, an experienced and respected Python trainer with decades of teaching experience
  • Provides 50+ hands-on exercises with detailed solutions and explanations, not just theory
  • Focuses on practical, real-world coding patterns rather than abstract computer science concepts
  • Explanations often show multiple solution approaches, helping learners understand tradeoffs and idiomatic Python
  • Good for reinforcing muscle memory and confidence in writing Python code independently
  • Exercises are curated based on common sticking points Lerner has observed in his many years of teaching corporate Python courses

Recommended for

  • Beginner-to-intermediate Python learners who understand basic syntax but want more practice applying it
  • Self-taught coders who feel shaky translating concepts into working code
  • People who've finished an introductory Python course/book and want a bridge to intermediate skills
  • Learners who prefer exercise-driven practice over long-form conceptual reading
  • Developers preparing for coding interviews or wanting to sharpen fundamentals

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way 2 videos + Add
Practice Makes Python 0 videos + Add

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

More videos

  • - Learn Python The Hard Way - Review

No Practice Makes Python videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way
Practice Makes Python
88% 88%
12% 12%
100% 100%
0% 0%
85% 85%
15% 15%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Learn Python The Hard Way and Practice Makes Python. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way 14 mentions
Practice Makes Python 0 mentions
  • 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... - Source: Hacker News / over 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. It’s like having a teacher that lies to you and doesn’t know when they are lying and has zero understanding of the... - Source: Hacker News / about 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 / over 2 years ago

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Tracking Practice Makes Python since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Learn Python The Hard Way and Practice Makes Python

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