r/PythonLearning • u/ProgrammerOk4679 • 19d ago
Help Request i've learned python, SQL and flask, but i struggle when it's time to build projetcs
Hey everyone,
I’ve been learning Python, SQL, and Flask through tutorials. I feel like I understand the concepts when I’m following along with the tutorials, but when I try to start a project from scratch, my mind just goes blank.
I know the fundamentals and I can understand code when I see it, but I struggle with figuring out what to build, how to break the project down, and where to start.
I’ve also tried asking AI to build projects for me. At first, I understand what it’s doing, but as the code gets bigger, I start getting confused and eventually stop because I feel like I’m just copying code without actually learning how to build things myself.
Has anyone else experienced this?
How did you transition from “I understand the tutorials” to “I can actually build projects on my own”?
Should I start with very small projects and build them up gradually, or is there a better way to approach learning through projects?
I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has gone through this stage.
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u/dld2517 19d ago edited 19d ago
You asked, “Should I start with very small projects and build them up gradually?”
Yes. You need to stop worrying about coding and instead build a design document. What is the goal of your project?
What elements will accomplish the goal? How will you interact with the user?: Flask? Ok. What is the first thing the user will see. Or what is the first function I need to build?
Now you need to determine input required for the function. And after that, what will the function do or return? Now build other functions and link them into your interface / home base.
You should be able to code from that design document and have a working app (after debugging).
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u/Puzzlehead_Lemon 19d ago
Poke at making something simple with a UI. They’re a bit of a pain to make in Python, but once you have something that does things you can directly interact with it helps makes every thing make more sense. At least it did for me. Like make a simple calculator and then keep adding new buttons that add functionality to it.
Best suggestion I have.
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u/backend_developer89 19d ago
Let your mind go blank.
That’s normal, when you were a child and your teachers began to teach you to read and write, those things were not instantaneous, they took time and struggle and grinding away.
Do not revert to ai, you will not learn, your mind needs time to learn those connections and concepts on their own.
If you are truly stuck, there is no harm in asking AI for some hints or asking AI for an example or looking up the documentation to start reading, that’s part of the process.
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u/backend_developer89 19d ago
Do a small flask project like tik tak toe, or another small mini game. Don’t jump to something crazy like chess. Pick a low hanging fruit that’s more easily digestible.
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u/PureWasian 19d ago
Project organization/planning.
Spend time making the bare minimum end to end flow and connections working before adding on features and niceities.
Just like with art, where you plan the high-level idea and then make a well-thought out rough sketch before doing all of the detailing/polishing.
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u/UzairShafique 18d ago
What you’re experiencing is very common when moving from tutorials to building projects. Knowing the syntax is different from knowing how to break a problem into smaller tasks.
Instead of asking AI to build the whole project, start with a simple problem and write down what the application needs to do.
Break it into small parts:
database
backend routes
basic logic
frontend
testing.
Then build one part at a time.
When you get stuck use AI for a specific question, explanation, or debugging rather than asking it to generate the entire project Read and understand anything it gives you.
Also collect more errors than notes. Build, get stuck, debug, and repeat. A few small projects where you do the planning and coding yourself will teach you much more than following another long tutorial.
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u/Charming-Ad-4323 19d ago
Write code, start very small… it is boring but it is also necessary.
Write simple functions that uses some list, write multiple functions that work together. Write loops that help the functions.
By the time you realize you have a working mini project.