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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?
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;-).