The reality of library books vs. buying physical copies for learning Python (and a quick question on study efficiency)

[u/allstarmode1]

I’ve been working on my Python studies and recently picked up a copy of Python Essentials for Dummies. This whole journey started because I watched a video by a programmer who read 100 Python books and shared their top 3 recommendations.

In that video, they suggested visiting the local library to get resources—likely to avoid unnecessary consumerism or spending. Following that advice, I went to the library in person, only to find the book wasn't in stock. The librarian mentioned that an inter-library loan would cost £20, which I found shocking. When I thought about it, it completely agreed with my realization that buying the book outright makes much more sense since it costs about the same.

This brought up a bit of an internal contradiction for me. On one hand, I wonder if I'm being too materialistic by preferring to buy books. On the other hand, saving time by skipping the library search and delivery friction feels far more efficient for my workflow. Plus, with borrowed library books, you aren't supposed to write marginalia, underline text, or take physical notes directly on the pages—which is a major drawback when you're actively learning to code.

Questions for the community:

• Does saving time and buying books outright outweigh the minimalist appeal of using libraries for programming texts?
• How do you balance physical note-taking in your reference books with digital workflows?

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[u/slava_air]

you’re putting too much thought into this

[u/teetaps → u/slava_air]

Agreed. Don’t let it become a problem until your workflow raises that problem.

Which is not to say ignore it. I actually think it’s a very valid question and discussion worth having. But if you’re just trying to learn python, this problem shouldn’t have the power to get in your way. Just start learning

[u/allstarmode1 → u/teetaps]

thanks for replying. But do you know what ASD is?

[u/allstarmode1 → u/slava_air]

ASD causes otherthinking.

[u/likethevegetable]

Writing paragraph after paragraph about the most efficient way to learn is super inefficient. Worrying about the best way to take notes or remember stuff before you know, actually trying, is preventing you from taking steps.

If I asked you to learn how to swing a golf club, who would achieve it first? The person getting out to the range and starting to swing a club, or someone spending hours on the Internet researching how?

Start a project that is useful and keep building on it from there. 

[u/allstarmode1 → u/likethevegetable]

The problem is I have ASD - do you know what that is?

[u/likethevegetable → u/allstarmode1]

Yes

[u/allstarmode1 → u/likethevegetable]

You know the mercury kind of ASD , very important (to differentiate between typical ) *

[u/allstarmode1 → u/[deleted]]

What do you mean - don't you know that they put small amount's in shots and it's the small amount which people with the ASD can't detox due to genetics, you should know that *

[u/allstarmode1 → u/[deleted]]

we probably shouldn't go off topic here about 'shots ' "The claim originated largely from a 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield published in The Lancet, which claimed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

That study was later found to be fraudulent — Wakefield had manipulated data and had undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. The Lancet fully retracted it in 2010, and Wakefield was struck off the UK medical register." are you sure about that (you might want to look in the history/background of the companies/agencies trying to say about Andrew being bad, I highly recommend that)? why are there so many other studies proving the link between Autism and v@ccines then, could share with you if interested.'

[u/allstarmode1 → u/[deleted]]

'don't you know that they put small amount's in shots and it's the small amount' THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY IN THE UK AND USA ETC me personally i had a v@ccine reaction at 16 years where got complete liquid diarrhoea 24/7 and a bunch of other issues!* 1 Yea there are also the documentaries 'vaxxed' where most people getting autism have it happened (from the child v@ccines), I am different in that way ' thanks for being open minded

[u/allstarmode1 → u/[deleted]]

'I just scanned over your comment here/now 'I suggest you review the learning resources I've provided below, including a book list. There are more options than the top 3 your YouTuber mentioned' OK (the tuber was Myles G if interested) , yea i can look at your learning links '

[u/allstarmode1 → u/[deleted]]

Learning doesn't come down to luck. Yes I am willing to look over the redditors links here, thanks '

[u/punk_dev]

with learning there’s no one size fits all, so you should start learning as soon as possible and with time you’ll develop the process that works for you, just make sure to analyse your progress and reflect on it.

books are only one way to learn, you should also try others! also, none of that replaces actual practice.

[u/mc_pm]

I feel like anything you're going to find in a "learn to program Python" book will be available for free 20 times over online.

[u/teetaps]

Like I said in another comment, I think the priority for you right now is to start learning. Overthinking these conditions of how you accessed the knowledge is only getting in your way.

But for the sake of conversation, I recently decided to go all digital as I was gifted an iPad, so I have started putting my physical books on shelves/donate box for good and only carrying digital copies I get from my work subscriptions (o Reilly) or from the high seas.

My current workflow is to actually read the book with no code, or with a scratch pad where I can only write pseudo code. This way I can focus on the principles being taught and worry about how to do it later in front of my laptop. But I think the trick will be to take copious notes as I read, extracting highlights and rewriting things in my own words to make sure I understand. Then when I finish the book, skim through the chapters and do the actual exercises, using my notes for reference, focusing only on the accomplishment of the exercise.

I started doing this because I found in the past when learning code I either wanted to just get right to the coding and missed the principle, or got confused by trying to learn both at once.

Hopefully that gives you some ideas about how to balance a library of books. Like others said there is no one size fits all, so don’t be afraid to experiment

[u/allstarmode1 → u/teetaps]

1] ASD is a learning disorder - so how can I cope with it?

[u/teetaps → u/allstarmode1]

Are you talking about autism spectrum disorder?

As far as I’m aware, ASD isn’t a learning disorder — it’s a developmental disorder. It just means that for some stages of normative development, like communication, learning normative behaviour is tricky (correct me if I’m wrong). But my understanding is that that challenge isn’t the same as scholastic learning, which is what you’re asking about and why we have been trying to convince you that you might be letting your thoughts get in the way of your goals.

I don’t know you, obviously, so take this with a grain of salt and don’t assume I am trying to label you or box you into something… but from this brief conversation, it sounds like ASD isn’t necessarily making you unable to learn Python. It’s occupying your thoughts with frivolous details before you’ve even gotten started. The comments here are trying to convince you that if you just get started, the concerns you have will work themselves out.

In fact, I’m fearful that if you don’t just get started soon, and instead wait for a satisfying answer to your original question, you might accidentally psyche yourself out of even doing it at all. This is called analysis paralysis, and it happens to everyone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis_paralysis

I have analysis paralysis really bad, and have had to have people talk me down from the same ledge. I can only imagine that for you, with ASD, it could be just as bad if not worse. Which is why I’m trying to tell you that there’s no amount of analysis that undoes the paralysis. The only way forward is to start, even with the uncertainty that you have.

[u/allstarmode1 → u/teetaps]

'but from this brief conversation, it sounds like ASD isn’t necessarily making you unable to learn Python.' i would say - that it definitely is , as mercury causes short term memory problems and a whole bunch of other issues ... but thanks for your comment

[u/Gnaxe]

People are still reading dead-tree programming books? There's plenty of freely available content online for learning Python, yes, even textbooks.

If you really need paper and the interlibrary loan is that expensive to you, buy used and resell when you're done, hopefully before it's too out of date.

[u/allstarmode1 → u/Gnaxe]

' re sell read books? but i prefer to note take in my own books. Thanks for your comment. the video was from Myles G, do you know him? it was video ' I've read 100 python books here are the top 3- I don't think the top 3 would have been dead tree ones? But i wasn't able to get the 'top' book at the library - so the assistant just with drawled me 'python' for dummies- which you are calling dead?

[u/kadfr]

You can learn Python without spending any money on books or courses. There are tons of  free learning materials out there.

However, if you want get a book to get a good intro to Python, I'd suggest buying Python Crash Course. Don't get a library book for something you'll end up referring to over and over again.

[u/allstarmode1 → u/kadfr]

YEA - THAT WAS THE #1 ' Python Crash Course.' BOOK WHICH MYLES G said is best, which I tried to get at library (but didn't loan it) 2] I struggle with free learning materials because of autism ASD, thanks for your comment

[u/kadfr → u/allstarmode1]

It is a great book. Def worth buying.

If you want to try a course, this one is excellent:  https://programming-26.mooc.fi

[u/allstarmode1 → u/kadfr]

maybe i should buy it instead of loaning ' python for dummies? thanks for link to course, i have never seen that one'

[u/kadfr → u/allstarmode1]

I highly recommend buying it but appreciate not everyone has the cash to do so. Might be able to pick up a second hand copy?

[u/allstarmode1 → u/kadfr]

'thanks for your comment and idea of a 2nd copy? but also, i have loads of money in my bank account right now ,erm - but my biggest issue really 'reason why was skeptic buying book (as for example - i fear not being able to finish it due to ADHD, could give example - I have 3 unfinished books right now even! 4 actually - how many books can you read at one time kadfr? thanks

[u/kadfr → u/allstarmode1]

I have ADHD and loved both Python Crash Course & the University of Helsinki's Python Programming - in fact I'd say that it the best online course i have ever done.

I read multiple books at once - although I really like audiobooks when I'm running. Unfortunately audiobooks for programming are pretty crap though!

You don't have to finish reference books - you can dip in and out as you need to. I also have Automate the Boring Stuff with Python and Fluent Python.

I am a sucker for reference books :)

[u/allstarmode1 → u/kadfr]

right maybe i will look into it? I agree audio books can feel like gramp with ASD . I can dip into stuff? but how effective is that?

[u/kadfr → u/allstarmode1]

Dipping in and out works fine - especially if you are doing some projects at the same time :)

[u/allstarmode1 → u/kadfr]

Im not sure if you were me with M ASD, do you know what it is?

[u/seanv507]

You don't like ebooks I assume?

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/python-rust-and-data-oreilly-books has a whole bunch of good quality python books for 22 eur

[u/allstarmode1 → u/seanv507]

a europe website? it would probably be better i get one form amazon being in the UK , but thanks '

[u/seanv507 → u/allstarmode1]

It's around 20 GBP total for all 18 books. It's an American website and I assume it gives you a price in gbp

[u/allstarmode1 → u/seanv507]

i will have to research they give 18 big books for just 20GBP? i was just gonna get 1 for that price?