How does one get started developing software? What's the first step?

When you come to this craft -- or sullen art -- without a background except as a user, how do you get started writing code?

It's not easy. Indeed, developing software may be one the hardest things there is. Really, really …

That was challenging.

I rewrote almost all of my Introduction to Programming book into an iBook. Trimmed it down. Refocused it. Changed from Python 2.6 to 3.2. A complete refactoring from which almost nothing of the original book survives except the goals.

Look for it October 1st in …

After spending a couple of years (really) working with a publisher, the deal has gone south.

The problem was—likely—all mine. The book wasn't really what the publisher wanted. Perhaps it was close and they thought they could edit it into shape. And perhaps I wasn't responsive enough to …

I've revised (and streamlined) my Building Skills in Programming book. The 2.6.2. edition will simply replace the 2.6.1. edition, leading to the possibility of broken bookmarks because of the changes.

Currently, the non-programmer book accounts for under 10% hits on the http://www.itmaybeaback.com/book …

A recent question.

i came up with two options.

1. building skills 1 (+ other references)... then algorithms & data structures.... then your books 2 & 3

or

2. your three books 1,2 & 3... then algo & ds kindly help me decide so i can start soon.

I have two pieces of advice …

Someone sent me this: "“Building Skills in Python” – Steven F. Lott".

I had a vague idea that this book would get some traction. This response was surprising. I guess I should get to work on the upgrades.

And focus on the "no-nonsense" comment.

First, read EWD800.

It has harsh things to say about relying on intuition in programming.

Stack Overflow is full of questions where someone takes their experience with one language and applies it incorrectly and inappropriately to another language.

I get email, periodically, also on this subject. I got one recently …

My books (Building Skills in Programming, Building Skills in Python and Building Skills in OO Design) develop a steady stream of email. [Also, as a side note, I need to move them to the me.com server, Apple is decommissioning the homepage.mac.com domain.]

The mail falls into several …

I'm rewriting Building Skills in Python. 2.7 is out. As more libraries make the move, 3.1 is getting more and more viable.

I'm looking closely at the Decorators chapter (Part 3, Chapter 6).

And I'm struggling with classmethod. It's a first-class part of Python. And I'm sure there …

The readers of the Building Skills Books have a number of needs:

1. A way to post errors and corrections. I get a lot of these. Thanks!
2. A way to share comments and questions. I get a fair number of these.

A Google Group seems to be the best approach. We …