Hacker News Reader

Comment by praeclarum | Hacker News Reader

What's up with this being an introductory course to Python? Shouldn't the experts be giving expert level instruction?

I understand the desire of programmers to start from ground zero, but come on. The internet is full of easy beginner tutorials. Bookstores are full of intermediate materials.

But there is a shortage of expert advice from experienced professionals. Let's see some of that!

View on HN

You assume every experience professional knows everything. :) There's no shame in taking an introductory course, even if you're a super genius in some other area.

One thing that surprised us about our first CodeLesson course is that it was populated by a few startup CEOs, some of whom had coded in college, others who were learning to code for the first time.

While I agree, in general, with your statements/sentiments, such logic will keep us perpetually in a loop of beginner's mechanics. You advance knowledge and skill by challenging yourself - you don't do it by repeating beginner's materials.

i disagree. i've been coding for quite a while now, and am now just picking up emacs. the only way for me to begin is to start with basic/simple tutorials (e.g. peepcode, emacs starter kit, etc.). for an experienced programmer trying to learn python, i'd imagine zed would be an amazing fit since he could possibly customize/direct his vast knowledge specific to the user.

though i agree with the idea that there are very few resources geared toward expert/advanced users. i'm not sure how flexible the course material would be in this case tho.

expertise is learned through experience. experts are se;f taught over long period. you cant teach some to be an expert

Reply on news.ycombinator.com