When comparing A Byte of Python vs exercism.org, the Slant community recommends exercism.org for most people. In the question“What are the best resources to learn Python?” exercism.org is ranked 4th while A Byte of Python is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose exercism.org is:
Rather than merely test for code correctness, Exercism uses peer review to improve general programming techniques. Users are encouraged to comment on others' solutions, and refine their own based on feedback.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Beginner-friendly
It serves as a tutorial or guide to the Python language for a beginner audience. If all you know about computers is how to save text files, then this is the book for you.
Pro Free
'A Byte of Python' is available for free online. It's a book on programming using the Python language.
Pro Human review and feedback
Rather than merely test for code correctness, Exercism uses peer review to improve general programming techniques. Users are encouraged to comment on others' solutions, and refine their own based on feedback.
Pro Practice with production tools
Unlike many code practice websites, Exercism requires the user to develop and test entirely offline, submitting only the finished code. This promotes familiarity with essential tools and workflow, not just the bare language.
Cons
Con Some mixing of versions
A Byte of Python is a book about Python 2, but includes some Python 3 code.
Con Custom commandline client
Exercism requires using a CLI utility to fetch and submit exercises. This is inconvenient compared to web-only alternatives, and poses an additional barrier to entry for some users.