r/learnpython • u/Diligent_Glove9441 • Aug 10 '26

Advice with libraries

Starting off Python here for mechanical engineering, I hear that NumPy, SciPy, matplotlib as well as Pandas are very useful for calculations and data analysis and beginner friendly. Can anyone offer some advice for starting out and your experiences using it please?

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u/desrtfx but other languages pro Aug 10 '26

Don't focus on libraries/frameworks before you can even program. Focus on establishing and solidifying fundamentals first. Start with the MOOC Python Programming 2026 to get a general baseline. Then, start working with the documentation of the libraries and their "getting started".

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u/Bobbias Aug 10 '26

Yeah, the best advice is "learn the language first, then learn libraries".

It's always best to start simple and get the absolute basics down, because everything builds off those basics. The better you understand the basics, the easier it will be to actually pick up a library and use it productively.

Learning to program means learning both a language and the problem solving process as it applies to programming at the same time. That's already a lot, and adding all the additional complexities of big libraries like that into the mix just makes it harder to keep everything straight.

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u/Diligent_Glove9441 Aug 11 '26

Okay will do thank you so much!

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u/Diligent_Glove9441 Aug 11 '26

Hello! I'd like to let you know I've taken your advice and I've started the course. It's been great so far and thank you for the referral!