I'm interested in teaching myself Python as my first programming language. What kind of useful/interesting projects are recommended as a long term goal to work towards, given that I'm a total beginner? [more inside]
posted by KilgoreTrout on Dec 10, 2009 - 21 answers

Which Python GUI framework is right for someone new to GUI programming? But who may also aspire to open source community (linux) development/involvement? Cross platform, wonderful documentation/tutorials, and cruft-free new technology are also welcome. [more inside]
posted by cowbellemoo on Nov 25, 2009 - 14 answers

What programming language should I teach my kids? (web dev) [more inside]
posted by satori_movement on Sep 10, 2009 - 25 answers

Help me learn a few new programming languages. Python, Perl, Lisp, Haskell, Ruby. [more inside]
posted by jgunsch on Jul 9, 2009 - 22 answers

I'm teaching a course on bioinformatic programming for high schoolers. Which language should I teach it in? And do you have any nifty ideas for easy projects that fall under the bioinformatics header? [more inside]
posted by bergeycm on Jun 25, 2009 - 20 answers

Is it worth learning Python for combinatorial mathematics research? [more inside]
posted by alligatorman on Apr 14, 2009 - 27 answers

Help me choose between Python and Java for a specific type of programming. [more inside]
posted by eebs on Mar 20, 2009 - 27 answers

What's the difference between Ruby on Rails and Python from a non-programmer's perspective? Are there advantages or disadvantages I should be aware of? I'm working on a project that needs web dev help, but I'm just a designer with no clue between the two.
posted by ckohrman on Mar 2, 2009 - 10 answers

Data/Python/Other programming filter: How do I construct and traverse a simple network of data? [more inside]
posted by latentflip on Feb 12, 2009 - 7 answers

Hive-mind Python users, I call upon thee. I'm just learning the language, and I think I'm missing something pretty obvious regarding making a nested while and if loop work. There's 64 lines of code and... [more inside]
posted by TrueVox on Feb 4, 2009 - 21 answers

I'm learning Python for fun and need ideas for neat programs to write. [more inside]
posted by limon on Feb 1, 2009 - 10 answers

Is there a free library that will decode/read a barcode from an image? [more inside]
posted by Maia on Dec 3, 2008 - 5 answers

Is there a solution for producing highly formatted documents programmatically, that is an alternative to ReportLab? [more inside]
posted by Pontifex on Oct 18, 2008 - 10 answers

Help me advance my computer education! [more inside]
posted by btkuhn on Oct 2, 2008 - 12 answers

Is Python a logical choice to learn if I want to create Data Mining programs. [more inside]
posted by elationfoundation on Sep 18, 2008 - 12 answers

What is a good open-source project to get involved in? [more inside]
posted by Who_Am_I on Jul 3, 2008 - 12 answers

If my favourite reference on C++ is The C++ Programming Language by Stroustrup, what would be my favourite book on Ruby. (And my favourite book on Python.) [more inside]
posted by chunking express on May 21, 2008 - 17 answers

Programming as a hobby. Rewarding for the non-professional programmer? [more inside]
posted by i_am_a_Jedi on May 19, 2008 - 18 answers

How do I learn new programming languages and start using modern web apps without getting frustrated and angry? [more inside]
posted by Zarkonnen on May 14, 2008 - 33 answers

I'm planning on starting a database freelancing business. I understand a lot of people prefer Microsoft Access or FileMaker. With the current evolving trend of applications going on the web and add to that my somewhat good experience with PHP, HTML, Javascript and CSS I'm seeking a cross platform efficient application environment. This is why I believe Access and FileMaker are not an option, I'm also more experienced with high level languages than I am with Access or FileMaker. [more inside]
posted by mrbloo on Mar 13, 2008 - 11 answers

What are some fun and simple puzzles or cryptography I can solve with Python to help me learn the basics? [more inside]
posted by cowbellemoo on Feb 28, 2008 - 12 answers

Stumped with RPy, need help badly! [more inside]
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Feb 25, 2008 - 4 answers

Parse freetext postal addresses to structured form for geocoding to KML? [more inside]
posted by joshwa on Nov 1, 2007 - 3 answers

What's the de facto python web framework in active development/use today? [more inside]
posted by zackola on Sep 12, 2007 - 12 answers

[PythonFilter] How does one handle specific errno of a built-in exception? [more inside]
posted by nilihm on Aug 16, 2007 - 10 answers

Which programming language can I learn relatively quickly for simple interpretation and manipulation of text files on my Windows box? [more inside]
posted by poweredbybeard on Apr 12, 2007 - 28 answers

What books, programs, sites are there out there to teach Python who has never programmed before? Ideally, I'm looking for a resource that teaches me both the language and general programming concepts. [more inside]
posted by dantekgeek on Apr 6, 2007 - 15 answers

I'm searching for a simple ruby/python database application tutorial. A long time ago, like six years ago, I came across this simple tutorial for php/mysql that showed you, from the ground up, how to put a simple database of your video collection online. Is there a similar tutorial that emphasizes creating a simple front-end for a mysql database using ruby or python, geared toward n00bs? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on Sep 12, 2006 - 5 answers

Python or Ruby? Help me decide! [more inside]
posted by djgh on Aug 31, 2006 - 45 answers

I need to come up with a more descriptive name for an open source project. [more inside]
posted by aroberge on Jul 25, 2006 - 19 answers

I have developed an application in AutoLISP which I would like to re-write in an OO language. AutoCAD seems to natively support VB but I don't think I want to go there. I am starting to learn C# and Python, and like both. How easy is it to link Autocad and C# or Python (or Ruby, etc.)? I am aware of PyCad but not sure I understand how to get it to work, plus it requires Autocad 2000 which is like requiring windows 95. In short, I am quite the newbie at this and would appreciate a simple but thorough explanation of how to use a modern programming language in Autocad.
posted by signal on Jan 2, 2006 - 7 answers

What are good free programming language learning environments? [more inside]
posted by pracowity on Dec 30, 2005 - 41 answers

I'm the 'lone programmer' for a small business, making an app that will log when inventory is received, and also used, at a remote location, via serialized barcodes. What would be the best way to transfer this usage data to me, preferably daily? [more inside]
posted by Mach5 on Apr 18, 2005 - 17 answers

I've fallen hard for Python and have been searching for a project to really learn the language with. I'd like to create functionality similar to Windows "Map Network Drive" for URIs using Python, urllib, etc. My questions are: does this seem possible for someone with a decent programming background (but no formal CS training)? Is it a good idea? [more inside]
posted by yerfatma on Mar 15, 2005 - 8 answers

Learning programming via web apps. [+] [more inside]
posted by daksya on Feb 15, 2005 - 21 answers

Programming languages: I'd like to take up programming as a hobby, with an eye towards evaluating it as a career choice. What language should I learn? [more inside]. [more inside]
posted by gd779 on Aug 13, 2004 - 27 answers

If you were writing a new p2p application -- leaving ethical and legal issues aside for a moment -- which programming language would you use? I know Visual Basic and PHP, but neither is really any good for this purpose. I dislike things that require the user to install a big VM (.NET, Java) and find C++ a complete nightmare. [more inside]
posted by reklaw on Jun 2, 2004 - 36 answers