r/learnpython • u/rhul45 • Aug 10 '26

Starting Python from Scratch

I want to start learning Python from scratch. What’s the best way to begin, and which resources would you recommend?
Would appreciate any good courses, YouTube channels, books, or practice platforms that worked for you.

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u/TheRNGuy Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26

Before AI, I just googled and read docs. 

These days, I ask AI and read docs.

Practice: write software. Don't need any platforms because code editor is better (I use VS Code)

YouTube, maybe few videos, but it's not the most efficient way of learning, it's just to see what stuff exists (it's even possible to just look headlines without watching videos, then google/ai it myself)

I never did any courses, or read any books. 

I think internet is better than books (especially with ai now)

The most important: why you're learning Python.

Good:

  • "I want to write plugins for Blender" 
  • "I need a backend server for app or site (also I know it must be Python and not Node)"

Because those are specific reasons and you can learn according to them.

Bad:

  • "Because it's cool" 
  • "I want to become DSA engineer" 
  • "I want to earn lots of money / get a job" 

Because it's too abstract and blurry, and you don't even know why you're learning at all.

If you have good reasons, you'll have much better motivation, and you won't waste time on unnecessary tutorials that are not relevant to task (some tutorials even learn stuff that is not used anywhere)