User:Mchua/Python

I'm (supposed) to be running a python class for a group of coders I'm working with, but have been stymied by the delays in getting our wiki up and running so I can put the material somewhere.

Then I remembered - hey, wikiversity! So... coming soon to a wiki near you.

Some resources:


 * http://pythonchallenge.com
 * http://diveintopython.org
 * http://greenteapress.com
 * http://www.bignerdranch.com/classes/python.shtml

The depths of installation
I did a quick reading tour while trying to learn how to improve the openplans build process.


 * Many python modules use distutils as a standard for installation. I've read the docs on distutils which outline how to create setup.py files (as well as more non-basic configuration of setup configurations).
 * setuptools uses distutils. It's like distutils++ - the automatic installation of dependencies (similar to what apt does for .deb packages) and the ability to include data files with your installation packages are the two things that most excite me at the moment. I have a general understanding of what setuptools does, but not yet how to use it (I haven't gotten to the point where this would be useful to know).
 * easy_install is another common tool used by setuptools. In fact, it's bundled with setuptools. It allows you to easily (as the name implies) install and upgrade python packages.

Potential project: Can you use easy_install or setuptools to create and maintain mirror sites (for components and dependencies of complex build processes and installations like openplans)?