Hello,

I posted my intial question in the 'misc programming forum' http, it was suggested Python might be the way forward for me so I thought i'd re-post here and try to move forwards with my project.

Basically, what I'm trying to acheive it this: create a program that can scan (other people's) websites for numerical information and use then perform simple comparisons and calculations based on that info.

Python looks pretty good, it claims to be 'beginner friendly', though I could do with some guidance on my focus:

In terms of what I'm trying to acheive, what 'keywords' should I be looking out for or what areas of the language might I need to concentrate on? i.e. OOL etc? Has anyone done anything similar to this in the past and can give me any pointers?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Many thanks,

Adam.

Well first you would need to get the Python interpreter installed and then get up to speed with the language.
Tons of info can be found here: python.org/

I have had Python on my Linux machine for a while but that is in the 'Cold Room' so I just downloaded and installed the Python 2.6.1 Windows installer on the family box in the 'Warm Room' today. Pretty neat. There is now a Start > All Programs > Python 2.6 entry which has a 'Python Manuals' selection which has the same as the 'Current Documentation' on the website which has their tutorial.

Where do you stand with that? Do you have it installed? Any experience yet?

After getting the basics down you will need to find the module (or modules) which will have the proper tools necessary to accomplish what you want.

Below in this forum there is a thread about a tutorial Crystalatice has made which may be of help.

Since you want to work w/ web sites, you'll want to look into the urllib module in the Python standard library.

Basically what you will be doing is "scraping" the website, which pulls the raw HTML of the site. Then you need to parse the HTML for the information you desire. Beyond that, it's just simple, normal Python programming that will do the comparisons and other computations you need.

__________________
Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
-------------
Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Hey,

Firstly, many thanks again for all your help.

So far, I've managed to load python 2.6.1 onto my computer (I figured more resources would be available for it compared to the brand-new 3.0 version). Like I said, I'm pretty new to programming so I'm starting from the bottom and still figuring out what all the different aspects of the program does. I'm running Vista, everything seems to be working OK so far though and I'm hoping it won't give me any trouble.

Crystal lattice: I've printed off everything in your blog, I always find it better when I've got a physical copy of something I'm trying to learn, rather than have it on the screen. I havent' managed to start working through it yet but again it looks enormously helpful, many thanks.

As soon as I have more questions (I inevitably will) I'll post again, I think I need to get my feet wet and start working through some excercises.

Thanks again,

Adam.

i got the following problems, trust me, i have attempted some and i dont just understand some. i would appreciate if you can help me solutions.

i read all this stuff on my own, please do your bit in my career. here are the problems:

Challenges
1. Create a program that prints a list of words in random order. The program should print all the words and not repeat any.
2. Write a Character Creator program for a role-playing game. The player should be given a pool of 30 points to spend on four attributes: Strength, Health, Wisdom, and Dexterity. The player should be able to spend points from the pool on any attribute and should also be able to take points from an attribute and put them back into the pool.
3. Write a Who's Your Daddy? program that lets the user enter the name of a male and produces the name of his father. (You can use celebrities, fictional characters, or even historical figures for fun.) Allow the user to add, replace, and delete son-father pairs. The program should also allow the user to get a list of all sons, or fathers, or son-father pairs.
4. Improve the Who's Your Daddy program by adding a choice that lets the user enter a name and get back a grandfather. Your program should still only use one dictionary of son-father pairs. Make sure to include several generations in your dictionary so that a match can be found.
5. Create a game where the computer picks a random word and the player has to guess that word. The computer tells the player how many letters are in the word. Then the player gets five chances to ask if a letter is in the word. The computer can only respond with "yes" or "no". Then, the player must guess the word.

i currently use Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner by Michael Dawson. i have the e-copy, but there are some part of it that would require i have a CD that came with the book, if you have the cd or a copy of it, i would like to share with you please.

hope to read from you guys,thanks.

Here's something:
Ask not what others can do for you ask but what can you do for yourself (and others : )
We'll you help yourself, not write stuff for you.

Why don't you just try the first one first:

1. Create a program that prints a list of words in random order.
. . The program should print all the words and not repeat any.
Give it a go.
If the book you have is giving these exercises , it should provide the knowledge necessary to accomplish them. Python has a great tutorial of their own too. http://docs.python.org/tutorial/
(you should have that same tut on your machine with your python installation)

thanks for the guidance sent. i would work thru it and get back with my answers.

i only need to add that, i try to run these stuff my self before putting them on. and also that i read all these things on y own with no guidance so there are part of the solutions you sent that i have not even covered.

this particular part is opening a file to read or write into.

thanks.

As a blatant plug, I am working on a Python programming book for beginners. I'm currently converting it to PDF but I have posted the initial drafts of each chapter on my Google Docs site. So you may want to take a look and see if it helps you.

__________________
Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
-------------
Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.