Learning Python?
Python represents why our school has such a low computer science graduate ratio. Programming languages are becoming closer and closer to basic English. While Python isn't pure programming, it's getting close.
It's cool in the sense that in 10 years most programs will have to be Open Source just because it'd be easier that way, but it sucks for people waiting to get a job in it. I know at least 3 people who got degrees in it that couldn't do anything because the demand is so low now.
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Is there a recommended package for machine learning in python?
I'm not sure you'd exactly call this machine learning, but the nltk package does Bayesian-style classification of text. You can use learning data and test data to see that it is inferring rules about the data.
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To learn python 2 then 3, or 3 from the start?
Python 2 is still going to be around for a while. Thus, if you plan on using it for a project right now , I'd suggest going with it as it's more mature and has the most library compatibility.
If it's just for the sake of learning or you don't have any immediate uses for python, you can take your pick. Python 3 has lots of nice features, but it will still be a while before it will overtake Python 2 in terms of compatibility.
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Should I learn Ruby or Python?
It really comes down to matter of taste, and perhaps, philosophy. For me at the moment I favor Python over Ruby, because I believe Python to be easier to learn and generally more readable. It's such a compact language that you can hold almost all the language features in your mind at the same time, which means that the language, as Bruce Eckel put it, "Fits your brain". This is important because we can thus focus more on IDEAS and CONCEPTS, the very essence of programming, instead of going to great lengths trying to stuff different versions of syntax into your mind.
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Why should I learn Python?
For the same reason you would learn any language -- to experiment with and learn about new ways of programming. Python is powerful language, and makes use of idioms that are not possible in PHP like closures and callable parameters.
This advice applies to any language, especially those with styles that are foreign to you. Other good languages to learn, or at least play around with, are Haskell, Erlang, and Smalltalk.
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