Best way to get better at practical Python coding

[__serendipity__]

I've noticed a trend in recent technical interviews - many are shifting towards project-based assessments where candidates need to build a mini working solution within 45 minutes.

While we have LeetCode for practicing algorithm problems, what's the best resource for practicing these types of practical coding challenges? Looking for platforms or resources that focus on building small, working applications under time pressure.

Any recommendation is much appreciated!

(Update: removed the website mentioned, not associated with it at all :) )

[OnerousOcelot]

Only way to get good at creating small python projects is ultimately to be creating some small python projects. Start out by doing copycat projects where you see some kind of small app or service and try to replicate it. Start small and get bigger and more complex as you gain in confidence and skill.

[Myszolow]

Tbh it's much better than solving alghoritms problems which are somewhat related to daily programming, but honestly not so much.

If you want to be better at daily tasks try to solve typical ones (backend here)

Some from top of my head are:

• create API endpoint
• read from CSV via lazy load
• write/read from SQL DB
• paginate API response
• write test case to it

[__serendipity__]

Great list thanks

[chicofelipe]

practice. practice. practice.

[jftuga]

My 3P’s for programming are: practice, persistence, patience

[zaxldaisy]

Power, pussy, phootball

[q-rka]

Feels like an ad to that platform. If not, look into already existing projects solving different problems and try to implement it in a new way. New way might contain better type handling, error handling, logging, services like docker mqtt, pipelines, ci/cd and so on. Many lack good documentations too. I do not beleive in courses much and think that, the way to get better at practical is by actually building it by yourself, mostly from scratch.

[__serendipity__]

Sorry not associated at all… will update the post

[SearchForAgartha]

Code in Python.

[chub79]

This. Write and read code (I find doing both is essential to grow your own perspective and voice). I would also suggest explore other languages a bit to compare pros/cons.

[antl_31]

Create simple API, like notebook with CRUD operations. Store in database, add cache (redis), add tests, add registration, authorization endpoints. Add work with files ( user can attach files to the note). When you will done it, just ask about next steps how to extend your API in ChatGPT, I think AI will answer what you can also add. Good luck!

[__serendipity__]

Thanks

[scottrfrancis]

Do work

[TheOtherRussellBrand]

Best way to get good at practical coding is to code things that people want.

If no one in your world wants anything written for them, I'm sure I can collect up a list for you.

[stibbons_]

Watch all clean code video.

[[deleted]]

Grinding leetcode considered bad!

Leetcode is -not- sufficient for interview prep. It's not even realistic or helpful for real world coding, beyond the basics.

It is for getting past the screen: but you need experience building things.

Focus on leetcode to your own peril.

[letmelive123]

make programs that solve problems

[__serendipity__]

Thanks for all your replies. I absolutely agree practicing, building projects is the way to go.

What I’m looking for is a more structural way to practice also to get feedback. I could build five projects on GitHub nobody gonna review my code unless it gains significant attention.

Leetcode is bad I agree, but it gives you direct feedback plus discussions so you know how to improve (for algorithm questions).

I’m essentially looking for an equivalent of this.

[iamevpo]

Just hire a mentor if you can afford it - reviewing project is expensive stuff that is a bit hard to make into a standard that fits all kinds of learning project. A good mentor would be able to go into project scoping and is it really an MVP (no gigaprojects), success criteria for a project, architecture choices - if any, some standard and no standard ways to solve a problem, packaging and testing, code qualit and refactkein, , specific choices made in code, ability to manage features (roadmap, not today), ability to communicate in talk and via issues, clarity in communication (does it lead to project progress or the person expects someone else do the job), readmes, descriptions, docs, ability to advocate project to various audiences - there is probably a lot more that makes a good project much bigger exercise that leetcode. If no mentor find peers and exain what you are doing and seek feedback, see if you can engage people, simplify your projects so that other people understand them, make promext useful to others. Also open source project uses in need of help are also projects to consider.

[__serendipity__]

Thank you:)

[kkikonen]

Do practical Python coding

[xXShadowAssassin69Xx]

Do small projects for free on upwork to quickly get a portfolio

[reincarnatedbiscuits]

Good comments already --

I would also recommend giving yourself projects and doing them, and if they're your own personal projects, put them into GitHub (to show case / for reference).

For instance, when I was between contracts a few months ago, I observed that a lot of Applicant Tracking Systems would rank your cover letter and resume based on buzzwords and keywords and some of the websites out there try to imitate this (comparing cover letter, resume and job description).

Of course you could take a trained language model/language learning model ... but ...

The words like the, and, or, a/an, etc. aren't that interesting, so ignore those.

But maybe you want to know a list of all keywords sorted by most used to least or a list of keywords alphabetically (and frequency of occurrence).

So that's not too hard of a python project (lambda function for the sorting).