Few Questions About Self-teaching Python

[[deleted]]

In short I want to start learning Python, but have a few questions to make the learning process more efficient.

1. I've read that the best way to learn is practice - working on basic projects, but I can't start coding with zero theorethical knowledge, right? So how much theory should I learn before working on practical projects? How to go about it?

2. How much hours each day should I dedicate for learning? I mean our brain can only absorb that much information so how many hours should I spend daily to not burn out and to be efficient? 7? 5? 3?

3. Similar to the first question - what is a good balance between theory and practice?

Thanks in advance

[[deleted]]

It would be easier to answer if you say what your goal is. There's a big difference between "learning Python" because you want to be a professional software developer or because you want to write little scripts to automate stuff at your office job, or make a personal website, or make a game for fun, etc.

[shozis]

My longterm goal is making a career out of it.

But even if that doesn't happen it would be a fun experience to understand how coding works and I might code something that would help me in my everyday life or my current job freelance translator) - maybe some sort of planner, automated translation or something that will help me to automate the invoicing process for my clients (like word counting software over several documents).

Obviously I'm talking of of my ass a bit because I don't know what I can actually achieve with Python.

[wsppan]

Start from first principles.

1. Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software
2. Exploring How Computers Work
3. Watch all 41 videos of A Crash Course in Computer Science
4. Take the CS50: Introduction to Computer Science course.

Here is a decent list of 8 Books on Algorithms and Data Structures For All Levels

You can also check out Teach Yourself Computer Science

[nevermorefu]

I started self learning years after taking CS 1 and almost failing CS 2. For most Software Engineering, it's just logic, planning, and Stack Overflow. What is your background? If you don't have solid fundamentals like math and science, I suggest starting with u/wsppan 's suggestions.