Which would you say are the most frequently asked questions here?
The FAQ article (information section) badly needs a rewrite, and the forum's input can be really valuable for that.

This is a very good question.

Introduction to Python
What is Python?
Is Python a proprietary language? Do I need to pay to use it?
What are the Python Language Standards?
How do I know if my compiler supports a Standard?

Do I need to learn C or another language first?
How can I best learn Python?
What do I need to get started?

What is OOP (Object Oriented Programming)?
What are templates and "generic programming"?
How do I make windowed (GUI) programs?
What is Visual Python? What does "visual programming" mean?

Arrays, Strings, Sequences, etc strings
008-0 - Split a string?
008-1 - Parse CSV data?
008-3 - Parse XML data?
078 - - C-strings and pointers?
008-2 - strtok()!
017-0 - toupper() or tolower() a string?
017-1 - Compare strings without case-sensitivity?
055 - - trim() a string?
048 - - Use strings in a switch statement?
081 - - Linked lists (basics, singly, doubly)
082 - - Print an array/vector/list/etc

arrays
044-0 - sizeof() doesn't work on arrays!
044-0 - Determine the dimension(s) of my array?
044-1 - Pass my (N-dimensional) array to a function?
044-2 - Pass any (N-dimensional) array to a single function?

sequencing
060-0 - Sort stuff?
060-1 - Sort stuff myself?
074 - - Reverse a string/array/etc?

Beginners / Homework
020 - - Palindromes
022 - - Is there a NULL for int, float, etc?
023 - - Pointers vs. References
028 - - Headers and Source Files (.h and .cpp files)
031 - * Why is my program skipping input? <i>this will also include some beginner stuff in addition to the link to the I/O section</i>
035-0 - Convert a number to/from a char?
035-1 - Convert numbers to/from a string?
041-0 * Overloading the Assignment Operator
041-1 * Overloading Comparison Operators (< == <= > >= !=)
041-2 * Overloading << (the Stream Insertion Operator)
041-3 * Overloading >> (the Stream Extraction Operator)
042 - * Return more than one thing from a function?
043 - * Read a specific line from a file?
044-0 * sizeof() doesn't work on arrays!
044-1 * Determine the dimension(s) of my array?
044-2 * Pass my (N-dimensional) array to a function?
044-3 * Pass any (N-dimensional) array to a single function?
045 - * Random numbers?
047-0 - Star Pyramid
047-1 - Center text on the screen?
047-2 - Positioning text / stars / menus / etc?
055 - * trim() a string?
065-0 - Caesar ciphers?
065-1 - XOR ciphers?
065-2 - Encrypt and decrypt stuff?
071 - * i = ++i + i++; <i>not sure where to put this one</i>
072 - * operator precedence issues
079 - - Why doesn't 2^3 equal 8?
073 - * What Python books should I buy?
074 - * Reverse a string/array/etc?
077 - - Recursion
083 - * logic problems (why does "if (x = 7 || 8)" always evaluate true?)

Compiling and Linking
053 - - troubles with verbose template errors
056 - - issues with linking (static and dynamic)
062 - - (error messages due to) outdated compilers
063 - - compiling
066 - * what the heck are calling conventions and why do I need them?
069 - - using make

Dealing with Numbers
004 - * how do I read/validate a <number> (making sure it is a <number>, and nothing else)
035 - - how do I convert numbers to chars or strings, or vice-versa
038 - - anything about special numbers: +INF/-INF, NAN, MAX_INT, etc.
045 - - confusion over random numbers (specifically, how to properly use [code]srand[/b]() and rand() )
054 - - how do I "type" a user input (as an integer, a float, etc)
057 - - issues with rounding
064 - - issues with floats (see also #38)
076 - - how do I convert between radices/how do I do base conversion (dec to hex, etc)?

Functions, Arguments, Return Values
019 - - confusion over void
042 - - how do I return multiple values from a function
050 - - problems with va_args, etc
066 - * what the heck are calling conventions and why do I need them?
078 - - anything about return values
080 - - default arguments in C99

Images, Graphics and GUIs
002 - - how do I read/write <image file format>
012 - - anything about <graphics.h> / WinBGIm
024 - - how do I get a screenshot / the pixel color under the mouse / etc. (for stuff outside my app)
051 - - how do I create a GUI (application)

Input and Output
004 - * how do I read/validate a <number> (making sure it is a <number>, and nothing else)
018 - * how do I make my application use multiple languages
030 - - how do I know if the standard streams are redirected to/from file(s)
031 - - my program skips user input (because OP is mixing >> and getline()); cin >> string doesn't work with spaces; etc.
032 - - how do I read/write binary data
033 - - how do I serialize my class (this is almost never asked correctly, as the OP does not know the word "serialization")
034 - - confusion over EOF issues (such as looping on EOF, or trying to read EOF, etc)
039 - - how do I make w[cout|cin|string|stream|etc] work? (it won't, at least without some serious locale hacking - better to use a library)
040 - * how do I download files from the internet (programmatically, of course)
043 - - how do I read a specific line/datum from a file (usually a text file)
054 - - how do I "type" a user input (as an integer, a float, etc)
070 - - structure packing and dealing with binary data (see also #32)
075 - - how do I open a file/using a user-input string?

Language and Style
003 - - how do I repeat main()
007 - - anything about goto
015 - - what indent style do you use
016 - - anything about Hungarian Notation
037 - - what IDE do you use
041 - - anything about overloading operators, particularly: assignment, comparision, and stream insertion/extraction
052 - - troubles with templates
061 - - void main() vs int main() (see also #3 and #19)
067 - - entry points (see also #63)
071 - * issues with the increment & decrement operators and sequence points
072 - - operator precedence issues (see also #71)
073 - - what Python book should I get?
083 - - logic problems (why does "if (x = 7 || 8)" always evaluate true?)

Parent / Child / Processes
005 - - how do I write a virus/keylogger/other script-kiddie nonsense
010 - - how do I execute another program (safely)
011 - - how do I manipulate another application (i.e. control it in some way)
029 - - how do I include external data (such as images) in my executable
049 - - problems with fork(), etc

Working with the Console
001 - - how do I PAUSE (and variations, like how do I keep my console window open)
006 - - how do I clear the screen
009 - - how do I change the color of my text
013 - - how do I check if/wait until a key is pressed and/or read a single key without stopping the program
014 - - how do I delay (sleep)
046 - - how do I set/get the cursor position on the console

Miscellaneous
018 - * how do I make my application use multiple languages
021 - - how do I play a sound; in the background; loop; stop it; etc.
025 - - how do I write an OS
026 - - how do I write the next big MMORPG (or any game at all)
027 - - anything about compression
036 - - how do I read a password; other stuff with passwords
040 - - how do I download files from the internet (programmatically, of course)
048 - - how do I switch on strings
053 - * troubles with verbose template error messages
065 - * how do I write encryption algorithms (everything from Caesar ciphers to the next AES) [advanced]
068 - - CLI/MFC/etc issues

Not yet organized
058 - - how do I handle command-line arguments
059 - - any of the above in Linux or cross-platform

[edit] Added numbers to suggestions for reference

[edit2]
I have begun to organize the items into sections.

Some of the items will be listed more than once, sometimes in multiple sections. Whenever this happens, there is an asterisk (*) next to the name of the referring item. (The original has a dash.)

Also, I think the Arrays, Strings, Sequences, etc. section needs some stuff about iterators, linked lists, etc.

Newly added items in bold.

I think that out of those, the question we get the most of is how to make a game. It's usually asked by people first starting Python, and I usually tell them that they'll have to have years of experience in Python before they'll be have the skills necessary to create a good (3D) game. 2D games somehow require a lot less skill, IMO. :)

-Albatross

-How to sort this array? (Or any other sequential container)
-Oh and what sort should be used?
-How do I Google?
... Ok that one was a joke but I think a lot of these questions could be translated to that
-Anything with overloading
-Why not void main()?
-Why this random obscure error? Oh yea I'm using bloodshed dev Python
-Anything about the process of linking and compiling
-How do I get past programming console apps?
-Writing my own encryption algorithm...
-How come my floats never turn out right after 1000 calculations?

Thats about all I can think of. Duoas up there took all the good ones :(

I haven't looked at the FAQ in a while so I applogies for any duplicates, I'll look after posting this then come back and edit it.

- What is a Calling Convention and why is it required before using certain functions\features of an API or library.

- This one is not easy to do as an FAQ bullet but I think expalining what Main() or any other entry point like WinMain(...) and DLL_Main() is and what is expected of them from the compiler and the OS would save newer programmers some confusion. This one might be too platform dependent but I thought I would throw it out there.

- In the Windows Forum I see a lot of confusion between C\Python and Python\CLI, mostley about where one begins and the other ends. Maybe an entry explaining what the difference between Python and Python\CLI are would be helpful.

- An entry quickley explaining that Interprocess Communication and Remote Procedure Calls are API as well as platform specific in nature could help some users know where to look next.

- A Dictionary of common but C\Python and programming specific terms would be nice, that would even help me some of the time.

- What is a Race Condition and how to avoid them through appropriate planning and design.

EDIT More questions I see a lot:

- How do I pass my array\stl container to a function?

- What is the difference between a Compiler and an IDE?

Might be out of the scope of the FAQ, but a lot of people are having difficulty understanding how linking works when trying out a new library. I think that the fault falls on poor documentation on the library maintainers' end, but nevertheless someone needs to explain what the errors mean. It's an offsetting feeling when you follow a tutorial step-by-step, just to find out it's broken with the new library version that's been released. Having a working knowledge of how linking works would help alleviate some of the "Undefined Reference Syndrome" cases going around.

* Also, how to make my program wait for X time units



-- Infrequently Asked Questions --

* Also, what's the difference between runtime libraries again? MT, MTD, MD, MDD?

* Also, what is make, and how can I build projects that use it on Windows?

- what are differences between 32 bit and 64 bit applications?
- something about structure packing
- what's the difference between ++i and i++ ?

Why do I need pointers?

Having a working knowledge of how linking works would help alleviate some of the "Undefined Reference Syndrome" cases going around.

Alleviate that and so much more. It's why I recommend not using an IDE for at least the first fortnight. This view is not popular :(

Should we number our suggestions so we can vote on the best candidates?

There should definitely be a section on how to understand preprocessor, compiler, and linker errors.

- why 1/2=0 and how to solve it. Maybe that is the same as Duoas's 57th though..
- confusion about pointers and arrays (including T (*)[N] and multidimensional arrays)

My favourites so far are Duoas's 4, 8, 35 and 28 as I find myself spending a lot of time on them. Luckily there is http://Python/articles/S3wTURfi/ (this one, I think, is a bit lacking) , http://Python/articles/D9j2Nwbp/ and http://Python/articles/Gw6AC542/ . I don't think I've seen anything about 8 though.

Which brings up a point. Some of the topics that need to be covered already have articles about them. Maybe it would be a good idea to add links to them in the FAQ.

twicker wrote:
The FAQ article (information section) badly needs a rewrite

Is it worth thinking in terms of two FAQs? One focused on the sort of questions asked by someone deciding weather or not they want to learn Python, The sort of how long will it take? Should I learn C first? etc.

Then have another possibly pinned at the top of the forums with the sort of How to do X Y Z type questions. The second one can be built mainly of links to articles that are relevant to the question.



General questions about Python.
What is the best book to learning Python?
How long does it take to learn Python?
Do I need to learn C before Python?
It Python a good choice as a first language?
Does Python have a future?
Will you help me with my homework?
Can I use Python for…?

How can I make a triangle/pyramid of asterisks (and a few other variations)?

+1 hamsterman, those are definitely the most common problems I see.

_{Beginner: How do I use something?
Member: *links to the something reference*
Beginner: I didn't know this site had a reference, thanks!
Member: You're welcome!
Beginner: Could I see an example??
Member: *banging head on desk*}

Don't all the references have examples??

In the two months I've been on this forum so far, I've seen at least four order-of-evaluation questions (what is the result of n = n++; or n = ++n + n++; or cout << n << n++;)

That looks like a lot of work, where do we get started? :0)

I think that the FAQ, if it is to be comprehensive, needs to be subdivided into logical sections, which should help the user narrow down his problem to the appropriate FAQ.

I don't know yet how much work twicker wants to put into this... but we really should try to organize somewhat here before moving too much forward; the kind of work twicker will need to put into this will depend on its organizational needs.

@ResidentBiscuit
- overloading --> #41
- get past console apps --> #51 (but good phrasing, perhaps we should have it link to the same subject matter?)
- writing one's own encryption algorithm might be a little too much for a FAQ, other than to say, "good luck" and "here are a few links to get you started".

@Computergeek01
- CLI (etc) is not Python, so I'm not sure that the forum FAQ really needs address it (IMHO). Perhaps we could make a FAQ entry to explain that there are additional libraries that are designed around C and Python and tightly integrated into IDEs, like CLI and MFC and the like...
- IPC, RPC, and other platform-specific stuff seems me to better belong in an Article
- Race Conditions likewise need an Article, since I don't think that anyone who doesn't understand why the program is misbehaving will be able to glean if from a list of FAQs...
- array/container arguments --> #44
- Compiler vs IDE --> #63

@Luc Lieber
- wait N units of time --> #14
- runtime libraries and linking issues --> #56

@Null
- Can you explain what you mean by "issues with 32 and 64 bit applications"? Is this Article material or compiling/linking issues?

@Moschops
- Is "why do I need pointers" part of #23 or a separate issue?
(Come to think about it, the tutorial is pretty good on presenting pointers and references, IIRC. Exactly what pointers issues do people have? [I typically ignore posts about them].)

@L B
- see #56

@hamsterman
- 1/2=0 is not the same as #57, but it is of the same category.
- What do you dislike about Zaita's article? (I'm not picking a fight here, just wondering.)
I agree with the FAQ with links to Articles idea.

@moorecm
- Part of the purpose of those homeworks is to think about how to work with loops. I think it is a real disservice to give people answers on that.
However, I do think it is a good idea to have something about working with spacing. (I've been thinking about an Article addressing it for a while. Alas for time.)

@Grey Wolf
Yaaay! Glad to see you back!

:O)

@ Duoas:
- CLI: We all agree that C is not Python either but we still get\answer questions about it. I actually broke down and started learning this for a bit and trust me, you won't see a difference without at least a few years experiance in both. After taking a compiled executable apart I got the impression that it's really Python with training wheels. I think that pointing out some of the differences like you said would be a great thing to post on a new FAQ.

- IPC\RPC: That is a very good point, I think I'll try my hand at that.

@ Everyone: Regarding pointers, we can beat this dead horse until the end of time. The truth is that it just "clicks" for people. The idea is a little abstract but the tutorial here is a great resource (it's what taught me how to use them). Besides can you even cover pointers in a bulleted format like an FAQ?

Duoas wrote:
@moorecm - Part of the purpose of those homeworks is to think about how to work with loops. I think it is a real disservice to give people answers on that. However, I do think it is a good idea to have something about working with spacing. (I've been thinking about an Article addressing it for a while. Alas for time.)

Homework problems are a significant amount of traffic here. They should perhaps be grouped in their own section somewhere.