Suppose my objective is to create a simple webapp and host it on Google App Engine, what should I be reading when?
I've started with Learning Python the Hardway and I'm currently going through Head First Python. Next up on my reading list is The Definitive Guide to Django Web Development Done Right.
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.
Thanks!
So what I'd say is try to do something very simple that you would actually use. Perhaps a to-do list or some sort of notepad? In my case it was just some sort of a video bookmarking app (actually I spent more time on the design/front-end than the backend).
I wouldn't worry about whether you're copying an existing app as well — just make something that interests you.
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.
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.