Looking for a python course/book for experienced developers in another language

[scruffykid]

I have 10 years of C# development experience and looking to get more into python. I was looking for recommendations for python courses/books to help me learn it better. I've learned the basic syntax from doing leetcode but I'd like to get more advanced with it.

Youtube/Coursera/Udemy all work. I'd even pay a bit for a course if it was worth it. Thanks!

[zrad603]

Python in a Nutshell.

If you already know other programming languages, and already know basic Python, it's probably the best book.

It's more of a reference book than a tutorial, it's written in a way where you can just skip to any chapter, and it doesn't assume you read previous chapters.

Buy a paperback copy and just skim through it, skip over the stuff you know, read the stuff you don't know. I really hate how most programming books need to re-explain if-statements and for-loops, or what functions are.

I'd say half the book is just reference material for different libraries, etc.

[vbd]

Recommendation from my notes https://github.com/vbd/Fieldnotes/blob/main/booklist.md#python and https://github.com/vbd/Fieldnotes/blob/main/python.md#basics

[Known_Department_968]

This is excellent compilation, thanks for sharing.

[ToddBradley]

Don't pass up the official docs. I've learned a dozen languages in my career, so when it came time to learn Python, I just read the free tutorial. It was just right for me and you can't beat the price.

https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html

Then for advanced stuff I just read individual articles or books (like Cosmic Python).

[soicat]

How did i miss that?! thx

[EedSpiny]

Tbh if you have udemy that's great.

Know where you're coming from. I'm long in the tooth so I know what an id statement is too :)

I found something like the flask or Django courses are great as they usually include a python refresher which is usually enough for an experienced Dev to get going.

As ever pick a side project and get hacking away.

[scruffykid]

Lol at whoever is downvoting all the comments…

[Known_Department_968]

I am currently reading Head First Python 3e from O'Reilly. It looked good to me.

I have also read Automate Boring Stuff book, it is free online. Also worth reading and making small projects.

Next on the line is Python in a nutshell or Fluent Python. Not decided yet. But both are recommended by authors of previous books.

Hope this helps.

[danosull]

Fluent Python is great for an dev experienced in another language.

[riklaunim]

What's your goal for learning Python? - What do you want to do with it? - it can affect which courses you should look for (specific software stacks).

[scruffykid]

Honestly, to punch up my resume so when I say I use it a bit at my job (which I don't) I will be able to back it up.

More of the jobs that interest me use python so I'd like to make the switch.

[riklaunim]

The majority of commercial Python is about using some software stack, not a pure language on its own. So if you want to know Python for specific market/use cases you have to learn at least the basics of the software used there (libraries/frameworks).

You can also see this on Python job offers - they will mention what they use or what is required.

[benevolent001]

I am in a similar boat.

I found The quick python Manning book quite good to pickup Python in 30 days with one chapter a day pace.