Ask HN: Structured approach to learning Python/Django

It is a great intro to App Engine & the datastore generally but also puts a bit more emphasis on Python/Django than on Java development, so it is well suited for Python devs.

But start with a python tutorial. I don't know which is the best, but other people should be able to help you.

I would suggest this order of learning though:

1. Python 2. Django 3. App Engine

Each introduces its own elements, so you're better proceeding step by step. Obviously you don't have to master python to get going with django, but you want to be comfortable.

http://docs.python.org/tutorial/

The second thing, go through the django tutorial which should take < 48 hrs:

http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.2/intro/tutorial01/

Third, come up with a project for yourself and start trying to make it happen using the django docs and stackoverflow as references. This is the most important step. Don't worry too much about the right way to do things or efficiency, just get something working.

Also, don't worry about deploying your app (i.e. getting it running behind nginx, etc). Just use a sqlite3 database and the django dev server until you're comfortable with the different pieces of django.

Take a look at how the generic views, the contrib apps, and the popular 3rd party apps are written to get some feel for what are good practices in writing apps.

I did Learn Python the Hard Way to start, then the main Django tutorial as well as Kenneth Love's blog tutorial at http://gigantuan.net/ (as well as lots of random tutorials/blog posts). Otherwise, I haven't read any books.

The app launched last night: http://www.weddinginvitelove.com

tl;dr: Make sure you're learning by doing. Make a random web app, it'll help things "stick" way faster.