Is it advisable to go with Python 3.1 for a beginner? [duplicate]

Question

Possible Duplicate:
What version of Python should I use if I’m a new to Python?

Is it advisable to go with Python 3.1 for a beginner? Or are there any severe drawbacks I would have to consider?

Answer 1

3.1 is much simpler than 2.5 or 2.6, but currently suffers a severe dearth of third-party add-ons, environments supporting it (big apps using it for scripting, etc) and tools such as IDEs. So, much depends on what you want to learn Python for -- if just for personal edification, 3.1 is ideal; if it's to actually build or control applications, websites, etc, then 2.5 or 2.6 will serve you better at the present time (3.* will no doubt reach and surpass 2.* in the future, but, the future is not here yet;-).

Answer 2

Library support is a big issue, for now, until library developers develop their support for Python 3.x.

For example, here are some popular libraries that you might be interested in learning, that do not yet support Python 3.x:

• NumPy and SciPy
• Django
• wxPython
• PySide (free alternative to PyQt, see below)

Here are some libraries that do support Python 3.x:

• PyQt

Libraries with support in-progress:

• PyGame