py-sig notes#3 how to teach intro to python

Start with "variables are not places where values are stored".
Then lists, dictionaries.
Then take apart some samples, probably some things in the cookbook.
Here's how you'd use the cookbook sample in a real program.
People who program are good at looking at what works and picking up how the language helped.
taking advantage of some feature of python.
part the language and part the environment.
Discuss portability.
In contrast, for example, with C, which really needs properly-done typecasting, to avoid issues such as little vs big endian.
vs more strongly typed languages like python