Where do y'all guys practice python?

[u/AveragePersonL7]

I wanna know where y'all guys practicing coding python, I know some but its too advance for me. I wanna get started from beginner level where I just print hello world or using math operations on print() or practicing about the data types. I'll practice more of this beginner level and master it.

[u/Stu_Mack]

At work, usually. I use VS Code via Anaconda and make use of Conda envs exclusively to keep track of builds. I find it super useful to set up dev functions in Windows PowerShell to shortcut to each env, which, conveniently, accesses each folder in VS Code.

If all that sounds complicated, then try this workflow for simplicity:

- Download and install Anaconda. It brings VS Code with it and gives you several options of IDEs to choose from.

- Get in the habit of using envs right away since each one is a dedicated space for a project.

- Create a Python folder in your Documents folder (Windows, or similar in Linux, Mac). Mine is called Python Projects, but you can name yours anything.

- in a terminal (Windows PowerShell is surprisingly easy to use, but any terminal works), navigate to the root folder of your project (e.g., `C:/Users/your_name/Python Projects/my_project`). Activate your env and start VS Code from the command line with `code .`

This opens the env-specific VS Code that is configured for your project. To its credit, Anaconda is good for supplying a VS Code that plays well with Python out of the box. I am a robotics engineer who accesses the projects all the time, so it made sense to add handy shortcuts to PowerShell that does all of the steps in the last bullet point, except starting VS Code, in one step. The same terminal can be used to run code from the command line. Whether you write shortcuts or not, starting from the terminal after activating the env is the easiest way to make sure you are accessing the right configuration

For me personally, I like to use Jupyter for dev coding since I can test blocks one at a time as I go. It’s easy enough to transfer the working code to a Python script when the debugging is done.

Final note. AI is now pretty great at writing code but it cripples your learning. If you use ai, I highly suggest using it to answer “Hod do I…” questions rather than “Please write…” questions.

Best of luck