Don't just read the following, instead, actively use the material, ie. type in code yourself (do not cut and paste!).. Reason: just like you won't learn to cook by just reading cookbooks or play golf just by watching it on TV, you won't learn to program just by reading (about) code. Put in practice or at the least, try out (type in) what you read - 'finger memory' is essential in programming.
MEL
Since MEL is a Maya-only language, comparatively fewer resources exist..
Books
- Wilkins/Kazmier
- Gould
- Alias Press
- Stripinis
- Pisca
- Maraffi - MEL Scripting a Character Rig in Maya
Online resources
- creativecrash (formerly 'highend3d')
- purplestatic - MEL, courses, etc.
- Tween Machine
- Comet Cartoons
- Autodesk's Maya forums - not MEL-centric, but useful
- fundza - Malcolm Kesson's (SCAD) site - GREAT content, including MEL, RSL, Tcl, procedural graphics..
Maya and installation dirs
- documentation: MEL 'book', MEL command reference
- installation - 'scripts' directory
- script editor window
- ASCII [".ma"] scene files
Python
There is a wealth of material on Python. Here's a small sampling.. You can discover much more by searching.
Books
- O'Reilly books, esp. 'Beginning Python', 'Learning Python' and 'Python Pocket Reference'
- Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner
- Expert Python Programming
Online resources
- Dive Into Python
- Learn Python the Hard Way
- A Byte of Python
- Programming for Non-Programmers
- The New Boston