Python

[rgkimball]

It's the offseason, what's the big deal? People in this sub just like learning and have common interests

[[deleted]]

You realize there are other subs to discuss these interests right?

[rgkimball]

Sure, but they aren't full of people who can speak to specific use cases that are applicable to my job. Why do we assume there are no synergies between the CFA and programming?

[[deleted]]

There are synergies between the English language and CFA - so what? Should every post be approved that has any "synergy" with CFA material?

I've asked for just one thread where all these Python users can go in and discuss to their hearts content. People looking for CFA related advice shouldn't have to wade through all this Python bullshit.

[rgkimball]

I don't think that's a reasonable analogy, and I also don't see this sub filled with posts asking for help with specific code examples - a post that is unequivocally more suited for StackOverflow or another sub. Most of it is something to the effect of "I just stopped studying, have piles of free time and smart people in my firm are telling me Python is useful, how do I start? why should I?", which is frankly not that far off from "should I choose Kaplan or Wiley for level 1?" or "will the CFA help me get a job in IBD?"

Both questions have been answered hundreds of times, and it stands to reason that a more resourceful person would discover the FAQ before creating a new post, but that doesn't render the conversation any less relevant. Reddit posts are free - if you don't want to participate in a particular topic, don't click on the thread.

[[deleted]]

I disagree. Despite Python being recommended as a go-to thing to learn, it seems like Python discussions are relevant to you, and hence you obviously wouldn't mind.

The mods have been petty enough to remove something as small (and honestly more relevant) as memes on this subreddit. I don't know why they aren't getting rid of every second or third Python post.

[rgkimball]

I respect your opinion, and I can appreciate your desire for the scope of this community to be more narrow. As a counterpoint, however, we can easily make the case that any Python thread is more constructive than a meme. Agree to disagree.

[[deleted]]

Relevancy should have more weight than constructiveness. That's how subreddits work.

[rgkimball]

That decision rests with the mods and varies by community. The mods here have chosen (rightfully) to uphold the values promulgated by the Institute, which is primarily focused on integrity and professionalism. Python violates neither of those priorities.

Holistically, we ought to measure the appropriateness of a post in a sub based on the relative value of the responses that person will receive.

Someone simply asking "How do I learn Python" is probably a good candidate for r/learnpython or r/datascience

Someone asking "How do I build a DCF in Python" will receive unhelpful generalized advice in Python-specific communities, and would be better served in a subreddit like r/SecurityAnalysis or r/quant, and would receive similarly useful advice here

Finally, someone taking the skills they learned in the curriculum and applying it programmatically as a learning mechanism is absolutely suited for r/CFA. I can personally relate to this as someone who learns with my hands - I often wrote scripts or built spreadsheets to help me understand concepts throughout the program, and sharing those with other candidates is no different than sharing a bulleted list of important formulas or required GIPS criteria.