I would like to learn Web2py but where do I start?

[newbie]

Hello,

I would like to learn Web2py but know nothing about programming. I'm
convinced it's the best language out there so I don't want to waste
time learning something that would not be applicable if I ended up
using Web2py (PHP, etc). Do I need to learn Javascript first? Do I
need to know HTML? I would eventually like to learn how to build
database driven websites.

Thanks

[Richard Vézina]

For web2py, you will need to learn python first and you can start by reading the chapter dedicated to python in web2py book.

Richard

[Massimo Di Pierro]

You pose an interesting challenge. Learn to use web2py without knowing
how to program....
I think it can be done. I will try record a video tutorial for you.

It may take a couple of week. remind me if necessary.

Meanwhile you can take a more traditional approach:
1) learn to program using python:
http://www.udemy.com/learning-python-not-the-snake/
2) learn web2py (chapters 2 and 3 of the online book, http://web2py.com/book)


Massimo

[Anthony]

I would say go ahead and just get started with the web2py book. Eventually, you will want to get deeper into Python, and there are plenty of online resources for that. You'll also want to learn HTML, CSS, and at least some Javascript (including jQuery) -- a good starting point for that stuff is http://www.w3schools.com/. For web2py learning, also check out some of the other resources linked from the website, such as http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5E2E223FE3777851, http://killer-web-development.com/, and http://web2py.com/examples/default/documentation.

Anthony

[Anthony]

Eventually, you will want to get deeper into Python, and there are plenty of online resources for that.

For example: http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers

 

[Mchurch]

Massimo, You are incredible!!

On 23 Feb, 21:51, Massimo Di Pierro <massimo.dipie...@gmail.com>
wrote:
...You pose an interesting challenge.....I think it can be done...It
may take a couple of week. remind me if necessary....

>
> Meanwhile you can take a more traditional approach:
> 1) learn to program using python:http://www.udemy.com/learning-python-not-the-snake/

> 2) learn web2py (chapters 2 and 3 of the online  book,http://web2py.com/book)

[pbreit]

If you are patient, you might be able to learn enough programming by downloading Web2y and following web2py.com/book. It includes a brief overview of Python which is a great language for newbies. The "Overview" in the book provides the exact code that you can type in to Web2py files to run good applications. You don't need to learn JavaScript but do need some HTML. Don't be afraid to read the code in the Welcome and Examples applications and even copy/paste.

[BrendanC]

How about:

1) - Download and install the framework (and python)

2) - Read first few chapters of the manual (you might want to invest $10 in the pdf manual and print off a few chapters for offline review) - Sometimes it's easier to concentrate w/out having a terminal to distract you). Try to get the general idea of the MVC pattern in your mind early on - that will help a lot when you start to dissect things later.

3) - Sit down with the manual and just type in the examples in the docs. Then run them - make sure they work- don't try to understand everything early on - you'll be surprised at how much sticks just by entering the code - even if you copy it from a book) - Seeing something working also whets the appetite.

4) Play around with your working simple/sample apps - break them, make a few deliberate mistakes and see what errors you get - this is good practice. You'll see plenty more in the future - so it helps to recognize some of the symptoms early on. You'll also see the benefits of the excellent ticketing system and admin in web2py, and it's something you'll miss if you try a different framework.

5) Download and check out some of the online apps or plugins and review the code - reading good code is a great learning exercise.

6) Ask questions on this helpful forum - when you climb the learning curve come back here and help others 

That should keep you busy for a few days/weeks. Also keep in mind that a lot of what youlearn will be useful in the future - even if you decide to learn another web framework. (MVC. CSS, SQL etc are common across many web frameworks). Web2py however, is one of the more approachable ones with a gently learning curve.

Hope this helps,

BrendanC

[Chris May]

One caveat:

While I agree that w3schools is a helpful resource (as I use it as a regular reference), their examples do not promote best practices, most notably absent is unobtrusive JavaScript. I had to unlearn much of what I read on there.

For more information and better resources, include http://w3fools.com/ in your list.

[Anthony]

Thanks for pointing that out, Chris. One nice feature of w3schools is the "try it" functionality that let's you play around with some code and see the results, though you can also do that with tools like http://jsfiddle.net/.

Anthony

[pbreit]

W3schools is perfectly fine. That fools thing is a little overblown.

[newbie]

Thank you all so much for your responses and recommendations. I will
give those a try. Massimo, keep up the great work and thank you for
taking the time to help. I look forward to the video tutorial.

[Carlos Costa]

Massimo is a nice guy!

2012/2/24 newbie <ericgu...@gmail.com>:

--
Carlos J. Costa
Cientista da Computação
Esp. Gestão em Telecom

EL MELECH NEEMAN!
אָמֵן

[mikech]

Hi Newbie,

If you think you'll stick around it would be good to have your real name somewhere.  Here is a book 

on Python that has gotten a lot of attention recently.  It starts you from the very beginning.

http://learnpythonthehardway.org/ 

[BrendanC]

Another suggestion for learning is Python Koans - based on Ruby Koans - basically an interactive way to learn and test code by writing short lines of code.

https://bitbucket.org/gregmalcolm/python_koans/wiki/Home

Check them out!

On Thursday, February 23, 2012 12:34:08 PM UTC-8, newbie wrote: