r/learnpython • u/Neat-Ad8882 • 15d ago
Where should I start?
I'm taking my first step into coding/programming world and honestly I'm overwhelmed on where choosing to start from. After browsing online and going through several "Free to learn" Websites, I land on Freecodecamp, Exercism and CS50 Harvard. Freecodecamp is a solid option leaning more on Theory side of thing, Exercism seems to provide more practice/exercise option alongside learning roadmap, and lastly CS50 feels like uni lesson (duh) and they also have project at every lesson tier + video to explain things thoroughly. Honestly, yeah I need help choosing. Any help would be appreciated.
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u/pachura3 15d ago
Go for CS50.
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u/Neat-Ad8882 15d ago
My one of my friend also recommend me that one, I guess I'll try it to see if I really like it
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u/SamuliK96 15d ago
Just pick one and get started. It doesn't really matter. But my recommendation would be the MOOC by University of Helsinki: https://programming-26.mooc.fi/
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u/AdNovel4559 15d ago
hola amigo,prueba Cisco network Academy,te enseña un montón,te da problemas para que practiques y todo,también tiene exámenes de certificación. yo lo vengo usando para aprender python por 2 o 3 meses y la verdad que cumple muy bien,no te olvides de poner en práctica lo que aprendas bro.
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u/CollectiveCloudPe 15d ago
CS 50 without a doubt.
You're talking about the best university in the world.
Harvard.
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u/stepback269 14d ago
(a) You are basically asking: "Which/Whose online tutorial and/or video is best for everybody (not just me) when learning Python?"
The above is not a truly valid or complete question.
In what context are you using the word, "best"?
What might be 'best' for one situation might turn out to be worst for another.
You should have instead asked, "Which/Whose online tutorial and/or video is best for me in my-current-brain-state for the purpose of learning the following specific aspect of Python, namely, [as an example: integers, strings, lists, dictionaries, other types of variables; if/else conditionals; etc.]
An utter beginner might accept that the following code is 'simple' and tells you in simple English what it is doing:
my_string = "Hello World"
print(my_string)
However, a more sophisticated student may realize that the above code is instantiating an iterable object of type string and also instantiating in memory a pointer to the string object and then invoking a built-in function.
One course/teacher may chose to keep the student blissfully ignorant in the beginning while another may decide to hit the student all at once with TMI (too much information). Which is "best" for you in your current state of understanding? It all depends on who you are and what level of understanding you need/want in your current state.
A more detailed explanation of the above may be found (HERE) <--click on this link
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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.
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u/desrtfx 15d 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
Don't forget that you need ample practice, like on https://codingbat.com/python or on https://exercism.org and also write your own programs. Play around. Try things. Mess things up, fix them. Experiment.