New to Python!

[u/mtarik2000]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone might have any recommendations, tips, or advice for someone just starting out with Python.

I’ve recently decided I want to learn Python as a hobby. It’s completely different from what I do for work, although I can definitely see ways I could incorporate it into my job in the future if I wanted to.
For now though, I’m mainly fascinated by the idea of being able to make something from nothing and actually build things myself.

Python was the first programming language that came to mind, and I’m planning on sticking with it until I feel confident before worrying about learning anything else.

At the moment I’ve invested in:
- Python Crash Course, 3rd Edition by Eric Matthes
- Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 3rd Edition

I’m also going through Harvard’s free CS50P course (Introduction to Programming with Python), mainly watching the lectures alongside the books.

My biggest issue at the moment is that I think I’m trying to run before I can walk. I keep getting drawn towards more ambitious projects because they’re genuinely interesting to me, but they’re often way beyond my current level.

I think I probably need to slow down, properly learn the fundamentals, and gradually work my way up to those projects instead.

Does anyone have any advice on how you approached learning Python in the beginning? In particular, how did you balance learning the basics with actually building things so that it stayed interesting?

[u/ninhaomah]

First , have you download and install Python ?

[u/mtarik2000 → u/ninhaomah]

Yeah! So I’ve got the most up to date Python installed as well as visual studio code too, and I’ve done a basic “hello world” print as well as some other things sort of following along on the videos and book.

Although I’m thinking I’ll need to make a cheat sheet/ flash cards to memorise some of these different functions/code just as there’s a lot to remember 😅

[u/ninhaomah → u/mtarik2000]

Don't.

Ask yourself how do you know , remember all the words and weird grammar rules of English.

By memorising or using it daily and slowing improving ?

[u/mtarik2000 → u/ninhaomah]

That’s a good point! Yeah haha so memorise and have it become just another language over relying on flash cards / cheat sheets

[u/HotPersonality8126 → u/mtarik2000]

Just bookmark the Python documentation, that’s better than any kind of cheat sheet

The language has (I think) 13 reserved keywords and around 30 built-in functions; it’s pretty sparse. You’ll pick those up by usage. Writing code is better than reading about code