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Learn Python The Hard Way VS Real Python

Compare Learn Python The Hard Way VS Real Python 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

Real Python logo Real Python

Real Python is a Python tutorials and training videos website that provides an interactive platform for users to learn Python.
  • Learn Python The Hard Way Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-16
  • Real Python Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-23

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.

Real Python features and specs

  • Comprehensive Content
    Real Python offers a wide range of tutorials, articles, and video courses covering various aspects of Python programming, catering to both beginners and experienced developers.
  • High-Quality Materials
    The content is well-curated and produced by experienced Python developers and instructors, ensuring that users receive accurate and efficient programming education.
  • Community Support
    The platform fosters a supportive community where learners can engage with instructors and peers, ask questions, and participate in discussions to enhance their learning experience.
  • Regular Updates
    Real Python frequently updates its content to include the latest features and best practices in Python, keeping learners up-to-date with modern Python programming techniques.
  • Practical Examples
    The platform emphasizes practical, hands-on learning by providing numerous code examples and exercises that help solidify understanding by allowing learners to apply what they've learned.

Possible disadvantages of Real Python

  • Subscription Cost
    Access to premium content on Real Python requires a paid subscription, which may be a barrier for individuals who are looking for free learning resources.
  • Overwhelming for Beginners
    The vast array of available content might be overwhelming for absolute beginners trying to figure out where to start their learning journey.
  • Focus on General Python
    While Real Python covers a broad spectrum of Python topics, it might not delve deeply into specialized areas that certain professionals might be interested in.
  • Consistent Approach
    Some users might prefer a more consistent instructional approach, as Real Python's content is created by a variety of authors, which may lead to variations in style and depth.

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

+ Add

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

Real Python videos

+ Add

Learn Python for Data Science (with Real Python)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Learn Python The Hard Way and Real Python)

Learn Python The Hard Way

Real Python

Online Learning
44 44%
Online Learning
56% 56
Development
34 34%
Development
66% 66
Education
54 54%
Education
46% 46
Education & Reference
44 44%
Education & Reference
56% 56

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Real Python should be more popular than Learn Python The Hard Way. It has been mentiond 53 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 (13)

  • 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 information they give you. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months 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 / 11 months ago
  • Python Concepts for Product Manager.
    Go here: https://learnpythonthehardway.org/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • What is the best way to learn VFX Programming and Concepts for someone who is more “art” minded.
    Also, I haven’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 2 years ago
  • I have zero knowledge in python
    Https://learnpythonthehardway.org/ combined with the Harvard cs50 course and codeacademy all together will get you pretty far. They provide quite a bit of information and practical instruction for free. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

Real Python mentions (53)

  • Top Use Cases of Python in 2025
    Machine Learning and AI Python plays a crucial role in artificial intelligence and machine learning. With libraries like TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, and PyTorch, developers can train models to recognize patterns, make predictions, and even drive innovations in self-driving technology, healthcare diagnostics, and personalized recommendations. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Mastering Python: A Comprehensive Guide
    Python is constantly evolving, with new updates and features being released regularly. Subscribe to Python newsletters, blogs, and podcasts to stay informed about the latest developments. Websites like Real Python and Python Weekly are great resources. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • My Wins of the Week! 👥📜✅
    📜 I got a my first Python credentials on RealPython! ✨. - Source: dev.to / 12 months ago
  • Collection of resources to get started on your programming journey
    Python - Python.org - Official Python website with documentation and tutorials. - Codecademy Python Course - Real Python - Python tutorials and articles for all skill levels. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Hey guys, im doing a small project, would appreciate if you could tell me if theres a place I can clarify a lot of my doubts
    I am no expert on facial recognition software but I read over an article on https://realpython.com. The site might be a little pricey (to some) but a few people in my Python group highly recommended it. It does have a ton of good tutorials. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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

The New Boston video series - Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Think Python - Learning Resources

Corey Schafer Youtube - Welcome to my Channel. This channel is focused on creating tutorials and walkthroughs for software developers, programmers, and engineers. We cover topics fo...

Python Weekly - A free weekly newsletter featuring the best hand curated news, articles, software, events, tools and libraries, new releases etc related to python.

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