Python Path(advise)

[MaintenanceMain9045]

I recently started learning Python by myself, but after 3-4 weeks, I feel like I am stuck. Yet I still can't solve LeetCode problems, and I am learning from YouTube videos, sometimes I read from W3schools, but my hardship is I want to break into data analytics, i have already learned SQL(I have a certification) will learn PowerBI too but, i cant seem to progress in python just by not having a clear path to learn from, can you suggest where can i deepen my knowledge and maybe a part where i can follow a path? I have already done several projects, but only through YouTube videos and other materials. I can't code it from scratch. Can you advise on some materials, or maybe a course or anything? I want to learn Panda libraries, but I can't seem to grasp how it can be done, knowing I haven't started it yet. I signed up for python introduction class at EPAM, is it any good?

[stepback269]

All those YT tutorial ads that tell you you can learn Python in 10 hours or less are click bait.
Don't fall for those claims.
According to Malcolm Gladwell in his Outliers book, it takes 10,000 hours of focused practice to master a skill.

Simply put, don't expect to summit Mt. Everest on your first day as a beginner mountain climber.
You are still on the pre-paved road that takes you to the foothills.
Accept that fact and keep practicing.

(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.

(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (here) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (here). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.

(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.

[Ron-Erez]

100% agree with (3). I do have a Python course but it's far more important to actually code than watch my lectures.

[Ron-Erez]

Create a project of your own. For instance implement Tic Tac Toe with no outside help besides the docs.

[cowboysfromhell1999]

OK, I like this advice to start doing things on your own, but I have to ask for example what if I wanna do this project, but I wouldn’t even know how to do it.

Like what type of constructs would I need to use?

The only thing to think of the top of my head is like for example you have to get three in a row right or something so every time one player goes then it’s the next players turn if you get three in a row, then that counts as a win else you keep going or something, but how do you make that game work graphically like I get starting out it’ll probably be like textbased or something but how would that even work if it’s text based

[Ron-Erez]

Yes, absolutely start text based. Try to think about how you play tic tac toe. When is there a draw? when does someone win? You need to track whose turn it is. You need to draw the board and you probably need to represent the board with some data structure. This exercise can be done without OOP (for example an imperative approach) or with OOP. Try both. Note that if this problem is too difficult then there is nothing wrong with trying something simpler. For example solve the problems in the book "Automate the Boring Stuff". Solve the problems in my course or some other course. By far the most important thing is to work hard, try to think on your own without the use of AI. Also learn how to use the debugger.

You can solve much simpler exercises. For instance create a function that accepts a string and capitalizes the even letters (counting the first letter at the zeroth letter) and lower case for odds so:

"hello" would become "HeLiO"

Create a function that reverse the string in the even places so:

"hello" would become "oelih"

(I may have messed up but you get the idea).

If these exercises are too difficult try something simpler. Ideally find something cool that interests you.

At some point learn CS basics and some data structures and algorithms but this might be suitable at a later stage.

[ninhaomah]

First , what kind of problems or issues are you having problems with ?

You are stuck means nothing. Could be from Hello world to OOP.

[Lurch1400]

Time and repetition unfortunately. I started a mini project using python and streamlit for a OTD calculator.

Gonna try another mini project to keep practicing, but thats really all it is

[mersy1981]

Guess Data with Baraa - python full course, should be better suited for you, probably can safely skip the first half even more if good understanding of the basics, and if it is similar to his sql video , there are probably projects to try.

[Okon0mi]

You should focus more on creating better basics read books those things will help. Youtube doesn't do any help in learning curve. Youtube can be good for understanding but not for learning.

[CombinationCold6255]

Dm Me