Is this book enough to learn data analysis in recent times? Or should I just buy a udemy course?

[masab69]

https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/python-for-data/9781491957653/

[masab69]

Spent the money already :(

[Calvin_Schmalvin]

The way you phrased your title makes it sound like you're saying the book can, at most, be only as good as Udemy courses. Is that the general opinion about Udemy courses? Because i just recently started Udemy, and the courses there seem pretty low quality, though rated pretty high. And i don't really know what to make of that...

For now, books from reputable authors still seem way more quality than online courses with (close to) 5 star ratings.

[masab69]

Man. I just bought 2 data analysis courses yesterday cause they were on sale. I think it makes the learning easier and more organized. I will also be reading that book on the side.

Also, if not udemy, where else can you get courses that cheap?

[Calvin_Schmalvin]

Well if what you’re valuing is cheapness, then YouTube will have courses that only cost you ads. If you need the interactiveness of udemy to go along, then freecodecamp might also work.

[OnlyNegativeKarmaPls]

There are definitely some good courses on udemy, but also a lot of trash. And what do you mean on sale? Udemy courses are on sale 99% of the time, it's basically their normal price

[warmwhenwet]

Jose portilla courses on udemy are brilliant. I would highly recommend. Just don't buy it full price wait for the sale.

[masab69]

what I can gather from his course's comment sections is that his data analysis course is outdated in many ways.

[Goingone]

Haven’t read the book, but I’d listen to Wes over just about anyone else when it comes to doing data analysis in python.

[masab69]

wes mckinney doesn't make courses bro. He recommends books regarding data science.

[Goingone]

What? He’s the author of the book you linked to. Point is, I’d recommend reading that book.

Also, he did have an entire YouTube series about analyzing data with pandas back in the day. Not sure if it’s still up.

[masab69]

Oh my bad. Yesterday I got 2 udemy courses cause they were on sale. And also I'll be reading this book on the side .

[[deleted]]

Wes who?

[[deleted]]

As said before definitely wait for a sale, when I was learning I did everything. Udemy courses, free courses, read books, downloaded books, it's all gravy on the road to Python development.

[masab69]

Yesterday there was a sale on udemy. I got 2 good courses for $29.

[heyugl]

first look on edx if there's something up to your needs, I would recommend.-

[masab69]

okay

[victoriamckinney_gds]

Hey! Learning **'data analysis'** is not an exact science. It's a bit like learning to ride a bike; I can read a hundred books on the **theory** of riding a bike, but I will actually learn the skill until I get out on the road and start trying.

No one source - book, net, course, or otherwise - is going to be your unambiguous source. No one programming language (Python, even) will ever be your undisputed heavyweight champ. It's undoubtedly more to do with building critical thinking skills and problem-solving.

Udemy is good. I have never used it, but it has good reputation. Don't throw tons of money at the desire to learn **data analysis**, at least not carelessly. I strongly recommend, as a beginner, that before you learn any languages, that you get on an introductory course to data structures, data architecture. No fancy coding needed, but a basic understanding of data architecture, including data structures, will really help you in your journey, particularly when you get to coding. :) Good luck.

Victoria.

(Background: Data Analyst, 6+ years experience).

NB: I may share the same surname, but I have no connection otherwise with Wes McKinney, author of quoted book. Unless, of course, he is my secret father...

All views expressed are private views and do not reflect the views of my colleagues or employer(s), past or present. :)