Hey folks! I’m new to Python after working with Java for a while. I’m looking for something like JavaDoc but for Python. You know, a place where I can see all the classes, methods, and how to use them.
I’ve tried using help(thing) in the Python command line, which is pretty cool. But I’m wondering if there’s a way to browse all the classes like in JavaDoc. Sometimes I just want to explore and see what’s available.
I found the official Python docs, but they seem better when you already know what you’re looking for. Is there a way to see all the classes at once? Or maybe a better way to discover new features?
I know I’ll get to reading the whole library docs eventually, but for now, I’m just trying to find my way around. Any tips or resources would be awesome!
Here’s a quick example of what I mean:
# In Java, I could easily find String methods like this:
myString = 'Hello, World!'
reversed = myString.reverse()
# But in Python, I'm not sure how to discover similar methods:
my_text = 'Python is cool'
# What methods can I use on my_text?
Thanks for any help!
yo, check out The Python Standard Library — Python 3.13.3 documentation for a full rundown of python stuff. it’s pretty sweet. also, try using dir() on objects to see what methods they have. like dir(my_text) will show u all the string methods. IDEs like pycharm are gr8 for autocomplete too. happy coding!
As someone who’s been using Python for a while now, I can tell you that the documentation landscape is quite different from Java. One resource I’ve found incredibly useful is the Python Standard Library docs. They’re comprehensive and well-organized, though it might take some getting used to.
For exploring available methods, I’ve found that using the dir() function in the Python interpreter is a game-changer. It lists all the attributes and methods of an object. So, for your my_text example, you could do dir(my_text) to see what’s available.
Another trick I use often is the help() function. It provides more detailed information about objects, including their methods and what they do. For instance, help(str) gives you a wealth of information about string methods.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of a good IDE. PyCharm, for example, has excellent autocomplete features that can help you discover methods as you type. It’s been a huge time-saver for me in my day-to-day coding.
The Python documentation ecosystem is quite robust, but it can feel different from JavaDoc if you’re used to that. For a comprehensive view of Python’s standard library, I’d recommend starting with the official Python docs’ Library Reference section. It provides a thorough overview of all built-in types, functions, and modules.
For exploring available methods on objects, the dir() function is incredibly useful. You can use it like this:
print(dir(my_text))
This will list all attributes and methods available for the string object.
Additionally, IDEs like PyCharm or Visual Studio Code with Python extensions offer excellent autocompletion and documentation features. They can show you available methods and their descriptions as you type, which is great for discovery.
Lastly, don’t overlook third-party resources. Websites like PyPI (Python Package Index) can be goldmines for discovering new libraries and their capabilities.