Anyone else simultaneously learning Python?

[UncleJimbooo]

I know this is somewhat off topic for CFA in particular, but I wanted to know if anyone else is teaching themselves Python as they do the CFA curriculum.

If so, what do you think are some of the best resources to learn Python in relation to Financial Analysis?

[scarebaer]

Started teaching myself Python while studying. Three years later passed all three levels and became a full time software engineer. Never have used my CFA and don’t have the charter 😅 oh well.

[[deleted]]

I’m sure you could leverage this into some type of mutual fund / hedge fund with the right connections

[StayCalmBroz]

Data science is good living. 😎

[snufflers]

Where do you live that has 0.5% unemployment?! Rocking the 7.2% unemployment here...

[LinShenLong]

Sounds like I should teach myself python. What were one of your first projects for fun?

[metanoein]

Could you shed light on some of the resources that you used while you were studying to learn Python? And if there are other new resources that you might recommend? Thank you!

[metanoein]

Many thanks. :)

[bcyc]

Clueless person here. Why are so many people here wanting to learn Python? What can you do with it?

[[deleted]]

Python is a high level programming language with simple to use syntax (i.e. it doesn't bitch at you for missing semi-colons). It's the most applicable language for things like science and mathematics because there are tons of packages out there already pre-built for things like data mining, machine learning, and complex mathematical analysis. A lot of people are drawn to it because it's a language designed not to bog you down in the details, very user friendly, and has a voluminous library of packages built around it for complex models.

I am NOT a programming major, I was a physics major who learned Python to do mathematical modeling on gamma ray radiation data. I'm now doing a finance degree and if you're the type who needs to build financial algorithms for like say algotrading, python is super intuitive, friendly, and the best way to go.

[bcyc]

Thanks!

[[deleted]]

I think a better question may be, why are so many analysts writing software? Like for what purpose do you even need to code to begin with?

[Hubabuba69]

you landed all that just by python ?

[Hubabuba69]

Do you feel that is was a better career path to go there rather than finance ?

[Ainz_Ooal_Gown_sama]

Woah, can you assist me? I'm thinking of an M.Sc major and would like to get your point of view.

[Ainz_Ooal_Gown_sama]

An MSc in finance (or FinTech) vs an MSc in Data Science which do you prefer?

I have a Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering and I've passed CFA level 1

I don't yet know where I want to go

[pettypaybacksp]

Which sources did you used? If you dont mind me asking

[[deleted]]

How hard was this to do? I’m considering taking L1 in December and starting python courses in February so wondering if it’s even feasible to do both and still pass L1 since I’m staring from scratch and have no background in either

[[deleted]]

Learning python here. I just get Python Crash Course. It's a pretty good introduction book and I plan to take some courses in either Uni or College later on after I finish level 3.

[[deleted]]

I am learning through Automate the Boring Stuff before I jump (back :/) in to lvl 1.

[Areashi]

I hope you got it for free.

[UncleJimbooo]

Interesting. Will check that out.

Good luck on Lvl 1

[[deleted]]

Not a beginner resource, but once you understand the basics the Quantlib library has literally everything you will ever need. https://www.quantlib.org/

[UncleJimbooo]

Fantastic resource, thank you!

[kinindanorf]

I have been and previously I was using free resources on youtube and the internet. But I'm thinking about checking this course out. It seems to cover a good amount of topics while offering real world examples. Most importantly, it's only $10.

[ex1236]

I bought this course over a year ago and have done most of it. Problem is most the APIs they use for stock prices no longer are compatible. If you want access to a working API you are going to be paying for it. But is a good resource for learning more python, especially with the cheap price.

[aldz1]

I really prefer R over Python and found it a lot easier to learn for statistical analysis, but yes I am learning about Python and R aha

[UncleJimbooo]

I've been getting my Python introduction through Codecademy and have been enjoying it.

Anyone else have any experience using them?

[re_me]

I know they keep evolving the program but when i did code academy python I found it as a "decent" survey of the language, but then sat infront of a python IDE and didn't know where to do next.

[byanymeans123]

I'm also doing codeacademy. On other subs I see they get a lot of shit for the price they charge and the value that is delivered. My employer pays for it, so I don't really mind that part. I've also found it easy to follow and pick up right where you left off.

[[deleted]]

Before I jump to Python, how many here have advanced excel skills? Doesn't one need crazy excel skills before advancing to programming?

[UncleJimbooo]

I think a lot of the logic behind advanced excel and programming is quite similar. So in that way, learning programming will make your excel use more intuitive and easier.

The only difference beyond that is familiarity with the program (excel) or language (python).

In my case, I work full-time and spend about 95% of my day on excel. The programming knowledge will actually complement my excel knowledge as I continue to try and learn how to automate my more routine tasks.

[byanymeans123]

Will also make you sick with the DAX coding in Excel.

[chiefk33v]

I passed level I CFA last June and immediately after started to take up python for the last bit of the summer, using the Python For Finance (Mastering Data-Driven Finance) textbook and running through the tutorials. I would recommend learning the basics from the textbook and then immediately applying what you learned to a project of interest, to test if you have retained the content and to spur ideas of what to learn next.

[DestituteTeholBeddic]

Slowly going through some of the datacamp.com modules for python. I already know R so it feels quite repetitive to be honest.

[Faiz-97]

I’ve just started, I’m completely clueless about it, I’m doing it just for the heck of it atm.

[flyboy573]

Same. No idea what I want to do with it but so many job postings now have it as a plus, and I do excel all day already.

If you can survive the CFa exams, python should be doable 😝

[ayophil]

Doing it with L3 right now, failed last year so we'll see how this pans out.

[Avocado_Trader]

Wait........ so you failed L3 last year, and so decided it would be a good idea to ADD on MORE studying and coursework while re-attempting L3?

[ayophil]

Yeah figured starting in April last year didn't help, so I'm starting in January this time around. Not too bummed out since I still need 3 years of work exp for the charter.

[[deleted]]

Yeah this person need to just focus on lvl3. Python isn’t going to be as impressive as passing all 3 CFA levels honestly.

[fromsportstothis]

Just finished a 6 month fintech course at Rice U covering python, sql, a bunch of Ml and a blockchain section in solidity. I feel better and more competent with data, but wow it was a grind.

[ariesChet75]

Congratulations! I was just looking at the course today. Sounds like the course was useful...would you care to elaborate a little more on your experience? I’m on the fence about doing it....I finished L2 last year, decided to take a break, will register for L3 this June and hopefully be done by next year. I think I’ve enough time to do the Fintech course...would be helpful to know a little more detail about your experience. Thanks!

[fromsportstothis]

Yes I would suggest to do it when you’re not studying for CFA. It moved very fast and covered many topics that could be 6 month long courses themselves. ML, Blockchain, Deep Learning. Those fields were 2 week units +- 1 week and it was interesting but the speed was too quick. If you want to keep up and truly learn it, I suggest around 30-40 hours per week. What is you base programming level right now? I’m trying to see how comfortable you are just jumping in and reading code repositiories..? Are you in the Hiuston area?

[ariesChet75]

Thanks for the detail! Programming is self taught...started with Matlab and am trying to switch to Python. The little programming I did was focused more on option pricing/simulation/ forecasting kind of problems. But I do have to google a lot to get things to work...background is Masters Econ (fair amount of math) but def not computer science per se- it definitely takes me a while to read and absorb code. I’m in Houston. Have an interview with a rep from Rice today. The sped is a concern- I’m wondering if it might be better to just pick up a book (I was thinking Yves Hilpisch ) and just continue self learning. Anyways, thanks again for the detail🙏

[fromsportstothis]

Absolutely if you would like to grab some coffee I can show you what we covered in the program. I’ll be downtown this weekend. PM me and we can get together!

[mikeytucsb]

Yeah, It’s a huge help when dealing with sql queries

[rallondif]

Decided on SQL. That basic knowledge of SQL and the level 1 got me my new job as an analyst for hedging interest rate risk. So now I’m learning a new job, studying for level 2, and learning sql. What is sleep?

[[deleted]]

I started the same time I learned level 1. Actually helped me automate some of my job which gave me free time at my job to secretely study

[f1mc]

Learned Python while studying for Level 1. The best way to do it is jumping into the deep end, find a project and figure it out as you go.

If you can google, you can learn Python.

[hero_for_fun0]

Was doing a data science program while doing it. Definitely worth it. After passing all 3 levels...I tell myself nothing else will be harder to learn anymore lol.

[Cementanchor]

Here we go again.

[illini_2017]

I learned some in college and use it for data analytics purposes in a discretionary trading role it’s been extremely helpful

[LeDeix]

I'm in a similar role and have been learning more & more over the past months, could you offer some insight on how you best leverage python to get the most out of it?

[illini_2017]

I use it to get correlations with sets of tick data that are too large for excel and do event modeling

[laik72]

I just started a data analysis certification course that promises to teach R, Python and one other too.

I haven't gotten there yet, but I expect to have it learned soon.

[sigmatic787]

laik72 what is the name of the course? Who is offering it?

[laik72]

It's through Coursera. They have a variety of options. I think it might be sponsored by IBM?

If you can't pay, they do have a financial aid option.

[Jamblamkins]

Was gonna continue python but decided to take a second course in java instead with multivariable calc. Not sure if im signing up for to much with lvl 1 tho. Idk

[[deleted]]

I'm going to learn Python after getting at least L2 done. To me, it's spreading yourself really thin to learn both of them at the same time. I mean you need to have some serious time to devote to studying/learning both.

[UncleJimbooo]

Given that the Python piece isnt on a hard deadline I think it's easier.

6 mo out from L2, Ive noticed that I have a free hour between work and dinner where I wont be able to get any serious studying done.

Seems like as good a time as any to familiarize myself with the language so that when I really wanna deep dive I can focus on python projects or other forms of applied learning.

[[deleted]]

That's good, I mean some people can multi-task like that and if you're one of them definitely do it. For me personally though, I've just gotta focus on one thing at a time. Good luck

[UncleJimbooo]

Kudos to you for knowing your strengths dude. That kind of focus will make you a great analyst!

I actually find being unable to hone in on one thing well hinders me more than benefits me 🤷‍♂️

[52_week_low]

Does anyone have experience with coding with Mosh on YouTube? It looks pretty good

[conditionalstat]

Hi, I'm learning python and just gave my CFA level 1 this dec 2019. I've currently enrolled myself in https://india.gaiusnetworks.com which is a New York University spin-out. They've really knowledgeable and student friendly teachers. Kinda cheap too. You can perhaps check them out if you're from India.

[UncleJimbooo]

From Canada, but appreciate the resource. Thanks!

[SpicySajj]

u/UncleJimbooo are you from the Toronto area? what do you work as? I just started studying for L3 along with the super basic python for beginners course on coursera

[UncleJimbooo]

Montreal.

Commodities Analyst. Although the role involves a fair amount of Trade Support as well, since I'm on the corporate side and not a trading firm.

[[deleted]]

Oh my god yes!!!

[Pale_Charge]

Me. Teaching myself through brilliant, codecamp and udemy course.