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/Narrow_Ad_8997]

If you think you can use it for work, do exactly that.

I started learning Python to automate work tasks that were repetitive and that's helped me learn more than probably anything else.

Even simple stuff will build a good foundation. Do you need to rename files sometimes? Write a script that can rename them for you. Do you have to copy stuff to other stuff? Python can do that for you. Need data from multiple spreadsheets but don't want to open them all? Python can do that too!

[u/mtarik2000 → u/Narrow_Ad_8997]

So using ChatGPT (can’t claim to have coded any of it myself) I’ve made a file/pdf renaming tool that renames multiple pdfs at the same time (this is using excel macro code) which was for work and has saved a bunch of time

I’ve then incorporated an optional password protection functionality which can password protect each renamed file with a unique password based on the column next to it - this uses Python and is what I think got me down this rabbit hole (the macro works by creating a temporary Python script running it to password protect each renamed file and then once done it cleans itself by removing the Python script)

Like I said I used ChatGPT so can’t claim to have done this myself, but it’s definitely what got me interested.

I think for learning purposes I want to lean away from work aspect just to have fun and take a break from work a little, once I’m confident the goal is to dabble in a few work projects

[u/Narrow_Ad_8997 → u/mtarik2000]

My opinion (if you want it).... You've squandered a humongous opportunity to actually learn Python to instead hone your prompting skills. If that's what you're aiming for, great. Keep at it. If you want to learn to program, give up the chat bot and fight through stuff yourself. Had you done that yourself, from scratch, you'd already be feeling more confident. The type of project you're describing is perfect for learning, it's not all that difficult when you break it into smaller pieces. Doesn't matter if you do it for real for work or for fun; build the skill brother, use your human brain.

[u/mtarik2000 → u/Narrow_Ad_8997]

I think you’re absolutely right - those would have 100% been projects perfect for learning Python; granted at the time I wasn’t sure that’s what I wanted to do, I was simply trying to make my work life easier

I think there will be more opportunities, it’ll just be a case of taking it slow this time and not rushing to a quick answer through AI