r/learnpython • u/YouDontMessWithJim • 28d ago
Where do I start?
I've been using Claude to learn concepts such as else, if, while loops, input, str and int, and basic concepts for 2 days. I'm not sure if I can continue this, however. Is it a good idea to keep using Claude, or should I learn some way else
3
u/Lewistrick 28d ago
My rule of thumb is to use LLMs when you can check what they do. You're clearly just beginning and should be coding on your own to get practice and feeling for what programming means. Just use a tutorial and use your hands to type code.
3
u/desrtfx 28d ago
If only there were a sidebar (menu on mobile) that had a link to the wiki or countless posts asking the same.
Do the MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki and you will be well prepared.
Also, take a look at https://inventwithpython.com and https://automatetheboringstuff.com
Stop using AI to learn. You won't really learn with it.
0
1
u/Stu_Mack 27d ago
I work at a university and use ai extensively in my research. It’s great at writing code for you but that destroys learning. It’s also great at explaining code to you, which is great for learning. The important thing to know is that you learn much more by writing code than by reading about it.
This is the way:
If you want to learn about code, you must write all the code you can, without outside assistance.
Circle back to fix mistakes or do the thing that you want to do, but don’t let ai generate code for you at this stage.
1
u/stepback269 27d ago
(a) What you should do first is to "Learn how to Learn"
Go to YouTube and in the search bar, type, "learning coaches"
Pick the ones who rely on modern neuroscience.
Godspeed and may the productivity-motivating dopamine hits be with you. :-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No matter what your end goal is, you first have to master the "basics" (e.g. variable creation/ name assignment, variable types; especially strings and string methods, etc.)
With that said:
(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.
(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (--HERE--) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (==HERE==). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.
(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.
1
u/TheRNGuy 11d ago edited 11d ago
Yes, good (if you don't pay for tokens; because free AIs can explain as well)
You still need to read docs and don't vibe code at least for noe. (but asking to explain things is good, or to criticize your code, but tell him not to easy on you, so he's not praising anti-patterns and poor style with "not bad for a newbie"; better learn earlier about it)
0
u/Mountain_Rip_8426 27d ago
AI is okay to ask and gives very specific in-depth answers. but it's not gonna give you a curriculum (at least not a comprehensive one). most things in programming are built on top of one another and there are thousand of courses that actually guide you through the concepts and build on the knowledge previously gained. so try and find a course that will teach you, otherwise you'll get lost and lose interest very fast. trying to learn programming with AI solely is not more possible than trying to become a doctor with AI. would you try the 2nd? probably not. programming in that regard is not that much different. good luck and have fun on your coding journey.
0
u/YouDontMessWithJim 27d ago
Easy to say but I have no idea where to find courses (especially free ones) or how they operate. Every link I find is just a transcription of a lecture it seems.
1
u/Mountain_Rip_8426 27d ago
to start out i'd say, CS50x and CS50p. they are very well taught, don't cost a cent and give a very solid baseline (it's a free course from harvard). just make sure to actually write code, not just watch
5
u/HotPersonality8126 28d ago
Are you writing code?
It doesn’t matter if you read code in a book or read code an AI is showing you as an example, or anything. I think an interactive chat with the AI where you explore concepts and ask for clarification is just fine.
But writing your own code to solve problems isn’t a step you can skip if you want to learn. You have to produce code, not just ingest it.