Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PyPy VS Learn Python The Hard Way

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

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PyPy logo PyPy

PyPy is a fast, compliant alternative implementation of the Python language (2.7.1).

Learn Python The Hard Way logo Learn Python The Hard Way

One of the best guides to learn Python & coding in general
  • PyPy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-15
  • Learn Python The Hard Way Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-16

PyPy features and specs

  • Performance
    PyPy is known for its superior execution speed and performance, often outperforming the standard CPython interpreter for many workloads thanks to its Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation strategy.
  • Compatibility
    PyPy aims to be compatible with standard Python, so many programs and libraries that run on CPython should work on PyPy without or with minimal changes.
  • Memory Efficiency
    Due to its garbage collection mechanism, PyPy often results in lower memory usage as compared to CPython, which can be beneficial for memory-intensive applications.
  • Concurrency
    PyPy provides better support for concurrency, including potentially avoiding some of the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) performance issues present in CPython.

Possible disadvantages of PyPy

  • Compatibility Limitations
    Although PyPy aims to be compatible with Python, not all extensions and libraries available for CPython work flawlessly with PyPy, particularly those relying on C extensions.
  • Startup Time
    PyPy has a slower startup time than CPython due to the JIT compilation overhead, which could be a downside for scripts primarily dealing with short-lived processes.
  • Larger Memory Footprint
    While PyPy can be more memory efficient in the long term, the JIT compilation process can result in a larger initial memory footprint which could affect applications with limited memory resources.
  • Platform Support
    PyPy might not support all platforms or the latest Python features immediately, potentially causing issues for users relying on cutting-edge Python developments or specific system architectures.

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.

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.

PyPy videos

PyPy - the hero we all deserve. - Amit Ripshtos - PyCon Israel 2019

More videos:

  • Review - Using the PyPy runtime for Python
  • Review - How PyPy runs your program

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

Category Popularity

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User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

PyPy mentions (8)

  • Pydrofoil: Accelerating Sail-based instruction set simulators
    Gains than using either compiler alone. This uses the PyPy JIT framework to speed up a RISC-V simulator. https://pypy.org/ https://github.com/pydrofoil/pydrofoil Pydrofoil: A fast RISC-V emulator generated from the Sail model, using PyPy's JIT. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • One Billion Nested Loop Iterations
    "On average, PyPy is 4.4 times faster than CPython 3.7." https://pypy.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Ask HN: Are my HPC professors right? Is Python worthless compared to C?
    If you're going the pure Python route, don't forget to try PyPy[1], an alternative JITed implementation of the language. A seriously underrated project, IMHO. Most time it speeds up execution by a factor of 2x-4x, but improvements of about two orders of magnitude are not unheard of. See for example [2]. Numeric, long-running code shoud suit PyPy optimizations well. [1] https://pypy.org/ [2]... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Yes, Ruby is fast, but…
    Python: My Python-foo is limited, so I only ported the last problem (a simple while loop) and ran it with PyPy. It takes a bit less of time:. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Python 3.12: A Game-Changer in Performance and Efficiency
    If you r looking for performance with almost fully supported C Extensions , pypy.org for you , 20x faster than cpython still. Source: over 2 years ago
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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
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What are some alternatives?

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

PyInstaller - PyInstaller is a program that freezes (packages) Python programs into stand-alone executables...

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.

cx_Freeze - cx_Freeze is a set of scripts and modules for freezing Python scripts into executables in much the...

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

bbfreeze - create stand-alone executables from python scripts

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.