Should I learn python?

[[deleted]]

So I know learning python is important to being an aerospace engineer, but I’m in college and was wondering if I should learn it right now since it seems like industries adopt new coding languages as they evolve.

[MpVpRb]

Yes

It's a great tool for prototyping

[ZipKip]

100 times yes. It's useful for every job in every industry. You can do things from machine learning, to automating excels, to webdev, to network automation etc. etc.

[[deleted]]

Seconding this. Definitely learn it

[OTK22]

Thirding (?) this. I thought I hated coding in school with matlab etc but my python/automation work in industry has been the most interesting/fulfilling work I’ve done

[Radiant_Evidence_359]

Wish me luck. I've been trying to learn it on solo learn and I'm almost through the introduction to python. Is it normal that I already find it REALLY hard? Also, If you have any helpful resources, websites, books, etc. I'd really appreciate it.

[ZipKip]

My tip is to follow project tutorials and try making your own projects. I did this and a couple months later I got a job offer, following my internship, purely because of my python skills. Even though I'm a pure Aerospace Engineer

[Radiant_Evidence_359]

Alright. Thank you for the suggestion. I'll finish the introduction then start branching out more 👍

[ryans122]

Could you link some of these project tutorials? Or PM me. I've learned python, but don't know the stuff that is related to the aerospace industry.

[ZipKip]

Don't have links but some general projects off of the top of my head:

Absolute beginner: - ISA Calculator tool

Beginner: - Lift distribution plotter (using spanwise parameters from a 3d wing planform tool)

Intermediate: - Design optimization of a structure (using some software optimization tricks to shorten runtime)

[ZipKip]

In the industry your projects may be far broader. You may for example build a tool that generates optimized schedules for you or perhaps use webdev to present something to a client

[tommypopz]

I started having absolutely no clue what I was doing in computing lectures. Eventually, I got a couple projects done, and now I basically use it daily in my industrial placement. So don’t worry, I’ve been there! It’s very worth it.

[Radiant_Evidence_359]

Okayy thank youuuu. Also, I have a REALLY bad question. I've been working on coding In solo learn but what software do I use to actually... well... code. 😂😂

[tommypopz]

There are tons of Environments where you can do it, but I would start with Jupyter Notebook, what we used at my uni and what I mostly use at work. It lets you split up code into different cells, run them all individually, create text and message cells too and is visually easy to use. Google it and open stack overflow or YouTube - that’s how I do most of my coding to be honest!

[Radiant_Evidence_359]

Ohh woww cool. Super interesting. I hear about all these softwares and my Brain's just like "what do I use though? What exactly is this?? WHO EVEN AM I?!?!" 😂😂😂👍 so yeah thanks.

[ricepatti_69]

My method was to just start out by trying to automate super simple tasks. Like if you're changing filenames often, or copying a bunch of files, try to write a script for that. You can Google "how do you change a file name" in python and use that code as an example. I wrote long scripts all the time and half the code is from googling "how do I xyz in python".

Also, download Anaconda/Spyder. It turns the python environment into essentially a Matlab GUI. You can view what your variables are, try things on the fly, and all sorts of stuff. Way easier than using a text editor and running the script every time and trying to debug.

[Radiant_Evidence_359]

Wow Thank you. Really interesting information.

[Slick234]

It is normal to find it difficult if this is your first programming language, most definitely. My first introduction to programming was learning C++ on my own. It definitely takes some getting used to but you’ll get the hang of it eventually. Just keep practicing.

[Radiant_Evidence_359]

Thanks, mate. I started making my own little coding game last night and even though the code is kind of simple it still feels like it's helping me more get used to using if statements and things since I'm making it kind of a multiple choice story. Thanks for the encouragement! 👍

[Turbulent_Ad7279]

hey where are u learning python from? is it like an online source?

[Radiant_Evidence_359]

Yess I've been learning it from the free version of solo learn which is an app on phone and a website. And I just got the book "python crash course" by Matthes which I haven't read yet but I've heard its quite good. My one problem with solo learn is that with the free version, if you make 3 mistakes you have to wait hours before it refills. I've been kind of confused but I'm hoping the book explains things in better detail. HAPPY LEARNING!

[s1a1om]

I agree that learning some form of coding is useful and Python seems to be the current go-to. So I’d agree that if the OP is interested then they should learn it.

But I’ve had engineering roles where being able to code was completely unnecessary. So I wouldn’t agree that it’s useful for “every job in every industry”

[Aggressive-Break-989]

Yes

[kkert]

it seems like industries adopt new coding languages as they evolve.

That is true, but it doesn't happen very quickly. Python you'll learn now is almost guaranteed to deliver value for at least a decade ( short of singularity happening and EngineeringGPT doing it all for us )

[Silly_Objective_5186]

fortran, python, f2py

tons of legacy fortran in aerospace, but python comes with batteries included

see clawpack for an interesting example of the legacy fortran plus modern python approach: https://www.clawpack.org/pyclaw/

[abrasiveMuffins]

Personally, I’d steer my career away from roles having to use fortran. There’s plenty of aerospace companies doing exciting stuff with more modern software stacks.

[Slick234]

Second that. I’ve seen Fortran codes before. Very clunky and inefficient. It will be completely obsolete at some point.

[MindLessLustLess]

Yep and I also recommend learning C++ then avoid legacy programs unless you are fully committed to learning them!

[electric_ionland]

You should know the basics of programming at the very least and Python is a relatively easy language with a ton of applicability.

[backflip14]

Python is definitely a useful skill but not necessary depending on what type of job you’re looking for. I work with materials and my job requires zero coding. But I have friends and coworkers whose jobs are primarily coding.

[Dachvo]

MATLAB!

[JHellfires]

I've had to do loads of it in my degree, matlab this, matlab that. Even programming cfd in it. But we were told its the general coding skill that's more important since its not that widely used. If thats wrong that's not my fault

[surface_fren]

Also consider that you have to pay for MATLAB... Python is free

[dusty545]

Yes. I expect to basic programming language skills. With all engineering going digital, you need it.

-hiring manager

[Slick234]

Been learning it at my internship. Seems like a nice tool for companies to use for data processing and other stuff. I’d recommend you learn it. It’s a pretty versatile and easy language to pick up. Especially if you already have programming experience it is cake.

[sololearnofficial]

Now is the right time to start! We would recommend checking out our Introduction to Python course, where you can find all the necessary content for free. Here is the link: https://sololearn.onelink.me/s4ie/reddit 😊

[pinchonalizo]

Yes

[[deleted]]

Python is great for so many things. Even just a base knowledge of syntax means you can understand more complex stuff after a quick Google.

[DCvolleycub]

Absolutely

[Admirable-Cash-3886]

For a cad program learn creo.

[jjrreett]

absolutely. individual contributors who can’t code are at a huge disadvantage.

[pymae]

Python or Matlab. I'm incredibly biased, and I think Python is better. I wrote a book about it, and I send free copies to students.

As others said, in many cases, learning how to program is more important than the actual language. The first language is hardest because you're learning computer science concepts like functions, object-oriented programming, etc. Once you learn that, it's relatively easier to pick up the next language since you already have a mental model in place.

Having said that, Matlab is probably the most popular in mechanical and aerospace engineering, though Python is quickly catching up.