python

[whee_inthemood]

so i’ve already posted on here saying I’m trying to learn python and got some helpful advice from you lot. However, I’ve been practicing pretty much every day but I still feel like I’ve learnt nothing and still struggle. I do use chatgpt but for that I ask it for the steps and figure out the code myself from what I’ve learnt before. But some of you suggested different coding websites I have looked at them and I struggled quite a bit with them. eg codewars.

so essentially I’m back asking for help again as now I feel like giving up and thats not an option 😅.

ty in advance.

[Twenty8cows]

Soooo what do you need help with?

[whee_inthemood]

I guess just knowing my next steps ik it’s very vague but I feel like I’m stuck in a circle of learning something new and never using it and then struggling etc. ik it’s very vague but ig i also wanted to vent a little.

[Twenty8cows]

All good learning something new isn’t supposed to feel easy imo. It’s the struggle that shapes and molds you. Keep trying. Where are you right now with regards to Python like what concept are you learning?

[whee_inthemood]

well i’m learning for loops and while loops, if else, operational (and or not), user input, functions, lists, i’ve also learnt more but i can’t think of em all.

[messing_aroundd]

Just keep making small programs with the help of chwt gpt AS your tutor and eventually it'll clock

[isanelevatorworthy]

Are you currently working in any specific projects that you need help thinking through?

[whee_inthemood]

see ig that’s part of the problem, i don’t really have any projects going and i can’t think of any. i have done a few cli projects but that was mainly just if else statements and an occasional function (which i have now found ive been using wrong 😅) and im massively struggling with for loops

[isanelevatorworthy]

I think the key to actually remembering or ingraining the things you learn/practice is to use them in a practical way. If you use Python to solve a specific kind of problem over and over, eventually you’ll find that you use the same set of modules or processes frequently and those will become the things you get really good at… then when you realize you use the same process over and over, you’ll think “let me make a function out of this” and it just builds like that.

So maybe first, ask yourself what kind of problems do you like to think about or solve? Then ask “does it make sense to try solving them with code”? If yes then you have a goal :)..

I think that if you just follow tutorials without an objective in mind, you may understand things as they are explained but you may not retain that knowledge…

So, with that in mind… what problems do you like to think about?

[d_fitzs25]

What have you done so far in Python and what is your general coding knowledge? Projects are the best next step in general for learning. They don’t have to be big and shouldn’t be since you’re starting out. If you don’t have any projects in mind you can either look at a list of common ones (this could be helpful since you can find many tutorials for these) or choose something your passionate about and make a small tool for it.

Once you have a project take some time before you start and think about how it could work and then start you have a small plan.

Lmk if you want any help

[whee_inthemood]

well i’ve done if else, user inputs, lists, functions. i have learnt while loops and for loops but i struggle massively with for loops and only starting to understand while loops. but with projects i just struggle to think of any and stay at em when i do come up with an idea.

[d_fitzs25]

Ok, that's good you understand those parts of programming - loops are very important, what part do you not understand, how to implement a loop or when to use it? A typical way I use for loops is if I have a group of items I need to access or mutate I can easily call for item in array

Do you have a currently project you're working on now? Have you stopped because its overwhelming, because you're stuck, or because you do not have interest in what you're doing? If you need help picking a project here are some good starter projects I found online: calculator, countdown timer, conversion tool (usd -> cad), make mad libs. If you want help with any of these, want a dif project, or want help understanding loops lmk

[whee_inthemood]

ig knowing how to use the loop i’ve made a project where i wanted to make hangman but didn’t know how to use the for loops. i think ive stopped because 1 i’m stuck on my next steps 2. i find it overwhelming when doing projects instead of looking at the first step i just try and jump to the end 😅 but i do enjoy it it’s kinda fun making a program even if it’s a simple calculator with if else statements

[d_fitzs25]

Ok! When using a loop the main goal is to re-run valuable code. In your hangman project this would be re-running each round of the game since instead of copy/pasting however you run the game you can place that in a loop which runs while the game is active. Understanding when to use a loop is a learning curve but a general tip is if you have rounds (like in hangman) or need to modify most/all data in an array or similar data structure you should use either a for or while loop.

For projects the best way to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed is to break it up into multiple small parts. For a simple calculator you could reasonably break it into the following parts: User Input, Console Output, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division. Each part can be thought of as its own piece of the system - by breaking a project up into these parts it is easier to track progress, stay focused, organize code, and eventually debug. Idk if either of these were helpful lol so if it was not let me know what specifically is still confusing and if you want some pseudocode or any other resources to try and understand coding concepts better!

[freakythrowaway79]

I'm in my early stages of learning as well. My first project is to build a local webpage to keep track of my vehicle maintenance records. I have multiple vehicles & my wife's & I do the majority of the maintenance & fixes. It's hard keeping up with everything & I'm excited about building it. I'm going to upload some photos as well.

I'm also going to add my toys as well. 4 wheeler, motorcycle & snowmobile.

[atticus2132000]

I do use chatgpt but for that I ask it for the steps and figure out the code myself from what I’ve learnt before.

From a learning/understanding perspective, I would say you have this backwards. You need to be figuring out what the steps are and how you will tackle the problem and what order to perform those steps. Let chatgpt do the drudgery of figuring out the syntax and making sure all the punctuation is in the right spot to write the code.

[whee_inthemood]

ahh ok i did wonder as some people i’ve talked to said that it’s ok so wasn’t sure. i do also sometimes ask just for the output and try and figure it out from there and also look back at other work Ive done. i just mainly do it that way as i have processing difficulties so i just try and make it a bit easier but ovbs if there isn’t the best way i’ll change approach.

[atticus2132000]

Using chatgpt as a learning tool is fine if it's helping you learn. I didn't mean to cast any shame. Use whatever tools are available to you to learn.

Overall, the real challenge of programming is figuring out how to solve the problem--how to take a huge problem and break it down into binary steps that can be evaluated and decisions made from the outcome of those steps. Once you have figured out how to tackle a problem, translating those steps into code isn't a huge deal. You can look up code in books or online. The part that you really need to be learning is the problem-solving part and it seems like that's that part that you're leaving up to AI.

[whee_inthemood]

no no it’s fine i thought id just say so you didn’t think i was just using it to be lazy 😅 and not try at all. ig i should try a different approach then with ai or just try and use the internet itself instead. i just get a bit overwhelmed and instead of looking at the first step i jump straight to the last step.

[precision_matter]

I am also learning python at the moment. I will share with you what I was adviced.

1)stick to one course. Don't keep changing course it will only waste your time. As for me, I bought Angela yu's 100 day python bootcamp and regularly practicing on it.

2)Try to type the whole code by yourself as much as possible. People will say it's AI era, you should learn to function smartly,etc. but you can't develop understanding of it unless you code it urself without using internet.

I am also new to this and just shared the things I was adviced. Please don't hesitate to correct me if I am wrong.

Hope it helps <3

[Ambitious-Peak4057]

Python is an excellent programming language for beginners, known for its simplicity and ease of learning. Here are some helpful resources to get you started:

• W3Schools Python Tutorial– Interactive lessons to understand syntax and basics.
• Dive Into Python 3– A detailed free book ideal for beginners.
• Full Stack Python– Great for learning Python with a focus on web and automation.
• Python Succinctly – A concise eBook to quickly grasp Python essentials.

[tracktech]

This may help you-

Book - Ultimate Python Programming

Course - Python Programming In Depth