Software Alternatives & Startups

Learn Python The Hard Way VS Think Python

Compare Learn Python The Hard Way VS Think 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
Think Python

Learning Resources

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

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

social mentions
14 vs 9
Online Learning popularity
47% vs 53%
alternatives listed
100 vs 66

Base details

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

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way
TP
Think Python
Website learnpythonthehardway.org greenteapress.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way 4 features
TP
Think Python 4 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.
  • Accessible for Beginners
    Think Python is written in a clear and approachable style, making it suitable for beginners with no prior programming experience. The author takes care to explain concepts thoroughly, making it easy to follow.
  • Practical Examples
    The book is filled with practical examples that demonstrate how to use Python for various applications. This approach helps readers understand real-world usage of the language.
  • Free Availability
    Think Python is openly accessible in digital format for free, making it easy for anyone to read without financial barriers, supporting open education.
  • Emphasis on Problem Solving
    The book places strong emphasis on teaching readers how to think like programmers, encouraging problem-solving and logical thinking skills.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Depth
    While suitable for beginners, the book doesn’t delve deeply into advanced features of Python, which might leave learners needing additional resources for more complex topics.
  • Pacing
    Some readers might find the pacing of the book too slow, particularly if they have some prior programming experience, as it aims to accommodate complete beginners.
  • Lack of Exercises
    There are fewer exercises compared to some other programming books, potentially providing less practice for readers to reinforce their learning.
  • Outdated Information
    Depending on the edition, some information may be outdated due to the fast-evolving nature of programming languages. Readers may need to verify with more recent sources.

Analysis

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

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way
TP
Think 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.

No analysis of Think Python yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

LPT
Learn Python The Hard Way 2 videos + Add
TP
Think Python 2 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

Thoughts on Think Python From a Beginner Programmer

More videos

  • - Think Python Ch 1

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
TP
Think Python
47% 47%
53% 53%
56% 56%
44% 44%
52% 52%
48% 48%
53% 53%
47% 47%

User comments

Share your experience with using Learn Python The Hard Way and Think 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
TP
Think Python 9 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 / 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. 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 / about 2 years ago

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  • C949 help and Jay Wengrow's Guide to Data Structures
    This course actually starts with an introduction to Python. Since you don't have access yet, you can give Think Python a whirl - https://greenteapress.com/wp/think-python/ and for a more interactive experience, I really enjoyed this one... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Best place to learn and practice python?
    Start with Think Python or learn x in y..both are free resources and good for basic understanding and practise. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Good places to start learning python?
    This free book taught me Python many years ago https://greenteapress.com/wp/think-python/. Source: about 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Learn Python The Hard Way and Think Python

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