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Think Python vs W3Schools

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When comparing Think Python vs W3Schools, the Slant community recommends Think Python for most people. In the question“What are the best resources to learn Python?” Think Python is ranked 5th while W3Schools is ranked 15th. The most important reason people chose Think Python is:

The book is available for free in PDF and HTML formats. A hardcover version can be bought from [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/144933072X).

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What are the best resources to learn Python?

Pros

Pro
Free versions available

The book is available for free in PDF and HTML formats. A hardcover version can be bought from Amazon.

Pro
Beginner-friendly

Think Python is a free book designed for those with no background in programming. It starts with basic concepts of programming, and is carefully designed to define all terms when they are first used and to develop each new concept in a logical progression. Larger pieces, like recursion and object-oriented programming are divided into a sequence of smaller steps and introduced over the course of several chapters.

Pro
Easy to learn

All the tutorials are written in a straightforward and easy to understand way.

Pro
Built in editor

Almost every example has a "try it yourself" button which opens up an editor in a new tab. It allows you to play with the example code and see how it works.

Pro
Well organized tutorials

All of the lessons are separated into their own pages, which makes it easy to learn about specific concepts.

Pro
Great source from Google search's perspective

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Cons

Con
Some missing instructions for absolute beginners

Some exercises sometimes require taking steps that aren't explained. Some functions and commands are used without explaining their purpose.

Con
Outdated practices / problem solutions

The practices that are shown to solve the problems at hand are rarely, if at all, updated. Usually, their tutorials and learning material is updated only after they see their profits drop.

Con
Doesn't care about teaching right

There are multiple errors in the data they show. Although the solutions they show work, they will lead to unmaintainable code. That happens even when the maintainable code alternatives are as easy or accessible to new programmers as the alternatives.

Con
Certifications not recognized

Many professionals in IT agree that w3s certifications are not recognized by them and are deemed useless. Good luck finding any respectable professional that accepts a w3s certification.

Con
It is for profit

What defines what goes is and what gets fixed on w3schools is what gives them profit and what doesn't (through their ads system).

Con
Written tutorials only

While many learning resources offer a mixture of media in their courses (such as videos, challenges etc.), w3schools offers only written tutorials and code editors. This makes w3schools more beneficial as a quick reference rather than a primary learning resource.