   python
  ok guys you have finally convinced me to program in python but should i download 2.6.2 or 3?and also do you think Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner would be a wise investment for something to teach me how to program? it will be an introduction to simple games and teach me how to python program. oh and btw i quite like having a physical reference i tend to find if i read stuff of the computer i usually dont take it in as well. and also i need something i can read while in bed or on the toilet   
clicky. As for books, I haven't read this one, but based on the reviews and the table of contents, it looks very good. (I'm with you... I hate reading books on the computer.)   ;  :D thanks alot   ;  Check out the Think Python book available from Green Tea Press. I would link to it, but the site seems to be down at this moment. It has gone through a couple of revisions and has been battle tested in the classroom over the years by the author who is a professor. The manuscript for the book is free as a PDF or HTML or you can purchase a printed copy of it. I've been using it to pick up Python and it is fantastic.As for going with 3.0 or 2.6, probably 2.6. 3.0 adds some neat new features, but a lot of the libraries out there for Python aren't available yet for 3.0.   ;  Don't forget the python tutorial that comes with python.  If you have programmed before in other languages it can get you up in running in a few hours.  If you haven't programmed before it would probably take quite a bit longer to go through.   ;  If learning Python for game development, I'd stick with 2.6.  Many libraries haven't implemented 3.0, and probably won't be for awhile.As for books, I greatly enjoyed "Game Programming - The L Line, Express Line to Learning" by Andy Harris.  He uses Pygame to teach game development in Python.   ;  what is pygame? oh and thank you for all the replys. ;  Stick with 2.6 for now.  I recommend this book for learning, link.  Pygame is a SDL wrapper written in C.  It allows you to draw/load images onto a screen, sound, etc.  SDL (Sample Direct MediaLayer) is common for making 2D games.  Give Pygame a try after you've got the basics of Python.   ;  ok thanks alot :D   