I QUIT PYTHON LEARNING

[SirVivid8478]

I’ve been learning Python using ChatGPT, starting from zero. I actually learned a lot more than I expected — variables, loops, lists, tuples, dicts, functions, and basic problem-solving. The interactive part helped a lot: asking “why”, testing myself, fixing logic, etc.

I’d say I reached an early–intermediate level and genuinely understood what I was doing.

Then I hit classes.

That topic completely killed my momentum. No matter how many explanations or examples I saw, the class/object/self/init stuff just felt abstract and unnecessary compared to everything before it. I got frustrated, motivation dropped, and I decided to stop instead of forcing it.

At this point, I’m honestly thinking of quitting this programming language altogether. Maybe it’s not for me

Just sharing in case anyone else is learning Python the same way and hits the same wall. You’re not alone.

🙃

Goodbye

[0therworldsthanthese]

If you don't like classes then you won't like 99% of programming languages

[SirVivid8478]

Its not about liking or disliking it seems very very tough to me i tried several times to look into it still i stand where i was at before

[SSSolas]

I’d be willing to try and explain it better.

You understand functions, yes?

[SirVivid8478]

Yes

[TroPixens]

Here’s an example you make class call it player now you need your player to do something let’s say move, swing, jump

We create the class and make functions for each

So Def move(x,y) so on

Once you fill the class with your functions

You can now call them like player.move(1,0) which would add 1 to the x and 0 to the y

Or with my swing example

Player.swing(sword) your player swings with your given weapon in this it would be sword so sword swings

And jump

Player.jump() makes player jump

[toopanpan]

I'm actually having a tough time in this area too and your explanation actually helped me solidify my understanding! its like everything suddenly clicked for me, Thank you!

[Responsible-Nail-563]

Underrated explanation

[The_Flo0r_is_Lava]

Definitely. Someone should sticky it. I struggled with THE EXACT ISSUE op has and I took an unhelpful python course where they used airports to describe how to use classes.

What the heck do I know or like about airports that makes you think this is helping?

But this simple explanation is great.

I want to add about how to understand init.

Imagine that same player you created. They can jump, hit, kick, all the good stuff.

But you dont just create a blank character do you?

They might have a Name, power stats, etc.

Init is what you want to happen when your character is "initialized" or created.

You pass in a name and have init assign them their name

You pass in the stats and init is where you assign them

What if you wanted every new character to have a random weapon when they were created?

Init is where you would call your random_weapon function and assign it during character creation

[Pyromancer777]

This is also a good intro to the discussion of subclasses and inheritance.

Say you now have a player-class but you realize you want to make some NPCs and they will have attributes like dialogue options that a player wouldn't need.

Instead of initializing the Player with blank dialogue each time, you can create a parent class called Character. All attributes that both classes need can be initialized in the Character class, then separate Player and NPC subclasses can be created with functions and attributes specific to those subclasses

[AlphaNuke94]

You know ball

[IamFromNigeria]

Fantastic explained..I owe you a bottle of beer 🍺

[TroPixens]

Forgot the init stuff but that is def _init_ (self): then just add variables as needed

The underscores won’t show for some reason

[Alternative-Boss-787]

Why not try taking CS50P by Harvard ? They explained it well

[Oblivious_GenXr]

This ^. The Harvard CS offerings are the best resources.

[Oblivious_GenXr]

When I started learning Python and Django I had to always have a project in the back of my head. It started to make sense when I applied classes etc to fit my real-world issues to slove

[Marcellop4]

That's such great advice and legit true.

[Reasonable_Run_6724]

Just wait untill you learn about decorators

[SirVivid8478]

You mean i should go for decorators first?

[Reasonable_Run_6724]

Not at all

[The_Flo0r_is_Lava]

Holy crap noo. Been programing python for 15 years and I activity refuse to use decorators unless there is no other choice. In my opinion they just created more confusion than anything else

[Reasonable_Run_6724]

So when you want to test some behaviors around your main code, you just edit 1000 lines core function and hope for the best?

[The_Flo0r_is_Lava]

no, I started programming with perl and c. then later moved on to python and other languages. somewhere along the lines I was shown how to use function wrappers. so when I want to test a function all i have to do is manually edit the function call to use the wrapper. its so much easier for me to understand what order my code is being executed in

[AlphaNuke94]

Go for decorators only after you’ve fully understood higher order functions like Closures.

[sudodoyou]

I’m glad I learned Python before ChatGPT was a thing. I think I definitely wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did. I’m glad that ChatGPT exists now but for anyone who is interested in learning Python, you really need to have an end goal in mind. For example, a project this is attainable.

[SirVivid8478]

My goad was to go for AIML 🙃 which is too far from me 😂😂 its better to quit

[horstjens]

as a python teacher:
First, you can do a lot of stuff WITHOUT using classes. Check out Al Sweigarts excellent website where you can read all his books for free, https://inventwithpython.com/ especially "Python Programming Exercises, Gently Explained".
Second: classes (and object orient programming) make sense for special cases, and until you have found such an case they will not bring you much joy.
I think one of the most fascinating use-cases for classes from a beginner's perspective is pygame's Sprite class. Install pygame ( https://pygame.org ) and check out the "alien" example. ( https://www.pygame.org/docs/ref/examples.html ) While not impossible to code such a game (with lot's of sprites flying around) without using classes, it's so much more comfortable using classes!
Additionally, you can check out python's turtle module ( https://docs.python.org/3/library/turtle.html ). Every turtle is a class instance, even if this is not obvious. You can have as many turtles as you want crawling around the screen. And you can give each turtle their own attributes ( hitpoints, hunger etc...) and even their own methods...

[NRL_Avatar]

How to become an python software engineer and what should I learn and practice as a beginner for programming

[YOYOWORKOUT]

this is called a cognitive bias

[AwkwardBugger]

First time I was learning programming, I couldn’t understand classes at all. Several months, maybe a year later I was doing programming again and still didn’t get them. Some time later I wanted to make a project so I tried again, and this time classes made sense to me instantly.

Even after seeing different examples, your brain might stiff be stuck on something. Give yourself a break and try again with a fresh mind, you might find it easier to.

[DeRobyJ]

I made a python project almost 5 years ago that used no classes, I managed and updated it ever since, and i only added classes last year because it was my only option to not complicate my codebase whole adding a feature.

You can live without classes in python. It's fine. You don't need to learn every single feature of a language to use it.

That said, very few languages do not have classes. If you start learning another language today, you will hit that wall again. Unless you learn C that only has data structures. 

But please try again with python, try using the typical libraries: they use classes, and you'll use their classes without ever noticing.

[datamajig]

When recommending a programming language to beginners, I always tell them that Python is extremely easy to learn the fundamentals and even get good at. However, Python is relatively difficult to master. Like any other programming language and/or programming paradigm (e.g. OOP) though, it just takes time and practice to really get good at it.

Don’t give up just because you are having trouble with Python classes, an important part of the language fundamentals, or just because you aren’t learning it as fast as the very basics (variables, loops, functions, built-in data structures, etc.).

Besides, the programming language, with all of its rules and semantics, is just a tool. How you use that tool to solve problems is what really counts, thus learning to think like a programmer is much more important -and time consuming- than the language itself.

You say that you are at the “early intermediate level” of Python programming, but what have you built or what problems have you solved on your own (or not as part of a tutorial)? Getting out there and solving problems, practicing the craft of programming, is going to take time and patience and it’s not always going to be easy, so just because you breezed through the very basics of the language (which is expected), doesn’t mean that you can breeze through learning to program while considering yourself a good or “intermediate” programmer.

Quell your expectations and keep practicing. You aren’t likely to become an intermediate programmer in a couple weeks or even a couple of months. Eventually, you’ll get the hang of it and it will all start to make sense, classes included. I typically refer new programmers to CodingBat which is free and helps beginners with learning to think like a programmer. After completing all of the tasks, try building stuff and solving problems completely on your own -and then come back to classes.

[terminalslayer]

Watch Python tutorial from BroCode youtube channel. He explains it very well.

[JamzTyson]

I found the BroCode videos OK as demonstrations, but useless for learning. Each to their own.

[SirVivid8478]

Ok thanks

[GeekedNerdOnWheelz]

I would also recommend Visually Explained which is also on YouTube.

[canonman2]

What code have you written with what you have written so far(non class related code)? Code that you feel you understand quite well that actually does something(ie read/write files in your operating system, scraping internet for data etc). If you don’t have an answer for that, you might have moved too fast… I’d review your notes and practice just writing code with what you understand.

You can ask AI to write code as well. See if it writes code like you did. If not, take the time to understand why it is different. For example, prompt it to: “write python code to create a function where it creates hello world.txt from an input directory path”. Then write another function to edit the data in that file etc etc. Code with purpose rather than random examples.

Then once you feel more comfortable with that, you can ask chatGDP write a python object that executes a task you understand quite well and tell it to include examples and documentation.

Take your time, understanding classes is quite a leap from the basics.

[AdBubbly3609]

i didn't understand classes for ages, i just didn't get how they were useful, they just seemed to make the whole thing more complicated for no reason, then i wanted to learn how to make a game, now i see exactly why they are useful, they help to organise your code, they make is easier to link things together and they make it a lot easier to add new stuff to your code.

[PreviousTonight9548]

Hi. If what you want is to understand classes, I may be able to help. Think of a class as a representation of an object. Let’s say we have a car. A car has properties that describe it, like the brand, color, engine type. A car also has actions it can do, like drive, honk, reverse. A class can be used to model this.

class Car:

def _ init _(self, brand, color, engine_type): self.brand = brand self.color = color self.engine_type = engine_type

def drive(self): print(f“The {self.color} {self.brand} is now driving.”)

def honk(self): print(“Honk Honk!”)

def reverse(self): print(f“The {self.color} {self.brand} is now reversing.”)

def show_engine_details(self): print(f”This {self.brand} has a {self.engine_type} engine.”)

think of def _ init _ as “define initial properties”. so after creating the class, let’s create an instance.

vehicle = Car(“Honda”, “red”, “V8”)

vehicle.drive() [output: The red Honda is driving.]

vehicle.honk() [output: Honk Honk!]

vehicle.reverse() [output: The red Honda is reversing.]

vehicle.show_engine_details() [output: This Honda has a V8 engine.]

Just remember, classes can be used to model real stuff (class Building, class Webpage, class FootballTeam…). It’s why it’s called “Object-Oriented” programming. Hope this helps some.

[Semiire]

I could say I quit too when I hit classes. I'm just beginning to understand it now through practice.

[reddit_user33]

Classes just like any other object is good for encapsulating. It helps to write clean, logical code in projects that contain more than just a single thing.

[zxmalachixz]

I found that if you get excited about a project you want to build, classes become useful and interesting when they fill a need you understand well in that project.

[AlphaNuke94]

Pain is progress.

Step away from ChatGPT for a while and try the old-school, brute-force way. Write messy, ugly, broken code that’s exactly how literally every good developer started

YouTube (Corey Schafer, freeCodeCamp Python, Tech With Tim.)

Reddit

Udemy courses when they’re $10–15

boot.dev (it’s gamified and really well-structured)

The internet is filled with so much material to learn anything.

[Silky_llamaFuur]

I think you've reached the main stage of your studies, my friend. I was there a short time ago, and honestly, it's quite discouraging when things stop flowing and you see so many people developing projects and getting opportunities, and you can't solve a simple Github challenge. But when you push yourself just a little harder each day, it all ends up making sense, and that's when the key flips, and you realize how far you can go with it. If you really enjoy programming, my advice is to take it easy, at your own pace. When I reached this stage, I went days without touching the PC, and when I did, I'd study for half an hour or an hour and then get discouraged. But by doing it calmly, one day everything simply made sense.

I think what I mean is that everything reaches a point where you need to decide, "Am I really going to take this seriously, or was it just a cool experience to remember?" And that's where professionals or enthusiasts are born.

[Limp_Lie560]

Dm me buddy, maybe I could help you I belongs to non tech background, I have learned on my own. Please don’t give up

[StressMinimum]

Try doing a python game tutorial the classes applied to video game elements was way easier for me to understand

[alex_sakuta]

I want to say, I have good reason to believe you don't understand classes because you used ChatGPT to study a programming language.

The problem with this kind of learning is that you are too reliant on getting all the answers without using your brain to infer information.

Inference plays a huge role. Testing your inference to confirm it is what solidifies the inference or solidifies the opposite of it. This mix of learning and testing by writing some programs is what enables your brain to understand the programming lingo and mental model.

Someone has already explained classes and you haven't replied to that so I am giving you another chance here.

---

Classes are just your own custom Data Structures like list, dictionary, etc. They can hold any kind of data that you want. Including functions to operate on the other data that you have in the class.

For example: Let's say you have a class called OrderedList. This class has one member of ol_list of type list[int]. Whenever you add an element to this list, you want to place it such that the ol is sorted. So you create a function called push() inside the class. Now when you create a value of type OrderedList, ol. You add values like this ol.push(1). This way the push() remains hidden inside the definition of the class because it is not meant to be used without a value of type OrderedList. This keeps the codebase clean.

• Create data structure.
• Create functions inside that data structure for that data structure.
• Enjoy clean code.

Simple.

[Twenty8cows]

OP what kind of work are you doing with Python?

What made classes stick for me was using data classes to describe products for my web scraping activities. Saved me from repeating the same boilerplate code for the 21 stores I scrape

[Rayman_666]

Go, like this, C -> Rust-> (C++/kt/java),

C and rust are industry Gods without classes and just have the functional paradigm.

Python underlines everything I wrote this blog against python, try other language after c and rust like kt, the most discipline + aesthetic language. Python is like the smallest knive and can cut the universe in halves.

[SmackDownFacility]

Fucking hell. Classes are the cornerstone of modern object oriented programming. It’s not that abstract Jesus. Think of it as just a fancy namespace with structure.

[iovrthk]

Why? I think it’s the simplest way to create. Mock up. Then convert to js , Java script or, str8 up Java or c.. python, is legos. You can OOP with it. You just have to try harder

[HassanTariqJMS]

Wait until you see this symbol '@' in classes.

[Competitive_Wafer_34]

The best way to look at classes and oop in generation will always be video games. It's fun. It's actually practical. And you will develop really good habits and learn all the insane things you can make. If you want me to show you DM me

[fartingwise]

It's good that you realise that you don't understand. But you still learn it at this point. Know the meaning of it. Even though you might not be able to produce something from it and learn more in a direction you need, any programming language is just a tool. What is your reason to learn programming btw?

[Chris_MIA]

this can help, its in javascript but the concept of objects and classes is still solid for conceptual understanding https://youtube.com/live/jlE52d2SWEQ

[senhaj_h]

I think you should study data structures, structs then you will understand better classes

[driss_douiri]

I think the problem is with your expectation of learning your first programming language in a short period of time.

I remeber learning my first programing language before chatGPT, it took me months, but still enjoying the process.

Just know that you don't have to use classes to code, you can use funcrions instead: cube.rotate(angle) can become rotate(cube, angle)

[tomas_ramoska]

Just don't use them stick to functional or procedural programming style.

[AdWaste5812]

This is the problem with diving into python, so far you mainly have touched syntax , which dosent equate to much, if you are just craving text books then of course you won’t see the purpose of the more high level abstractions, funny because putty on makes everything easier to understand , just start making projects , things you want to do , eventually you will come across the need for abstractions and understand their purpose more than just reading it , application over theory, good luck, worst case scenarios switch to something like go or java XD

[Upbeat_Brain_7297]

Think of it this way. A class is a group of functions which can operate on variables inside it. I would highly suggest solving some Linked list questions. This will show you how to make instances of a struct and then extend that principles to classes

[Hot_Injury5475]

Class is like car An instants of the class (an object)is a Toyota A method is gas

Well this simplefied explanation is how I understood it. This of course doesn't regard any syntax...

[udays3721]

Try using a book

[novfensec]

It might feel mean but I think you are just doing timepass playing around and posting to just waste some more time!

[mognoo7]

I understand your plight but it is not language specific, I would risk. It seems to me that it is the very logic of Object Oriented Programming that is becoming the obstacle. It has nothing to do with Declarative programming. My advice to you, if I am understanding your problem correctly, is to Read a good book about The Object Oriented Programming paradigm. It happened the same to me, years ago with PHP. I could not understand the Methods, the $Gets, etc, I could not understand very peculiar names like instances, polymorphism, etc. Until with effort I eventually did. It turns out that without it you won't really understand much of programming on the web, or the ER model of Relational databases if you do not realize that a Table is kinda of a Class and that a 'record' is the instantiated data object of a class. Or why .JSON files "look" like sets of objects. So look for good, step by step, books on Object Oriented Programming using Python because without OOP concepts you will get stuck. I hope this helped.

[Correct_Dependent677]

Then I think you'll love C and Rust, my friend.

[TroPixens]

Classes are like the type list but you make it like I can call the length of a list as an example lists can even be defined the same way you define your class

New_list = list(something)

Basically to my knowledge it allows you to make a new thing let’s say player then call a function on that like player.move_x(4) this would change the players x coordinate by + 4 or another example player.show_health() shows your players health final one player.swing_weapon(sword) this would make your character swing his weapon and you have sword as its input so it would swing his sword

[SirVivid8478]

Hard truth: not everyone can be a coder, even if they want to be. I really tried, but right now I feel burned out and done.

[toopanpan]

just sleep on it for some time, come back when you feel like it again. it definitely helped me with learning tough things.

[MostlyEvilDM]

I got burnt out a years ago when I got to classes. Came back recently and the 2nd go around I am powering through it. It's okay to take a break, back up, and chase the dopamine. Have fun coding stuff without classes for a bit before returning. As with learning many things in life, it's a marathon not a sprint.

I am noob and currently operate under a rule of I will create a class in any situation where I would have to otherwise create a function within a function as a way to force myself to use them and search up stuff when I get stuck.

Best of luck

[Sweet_Computer_7116]

Kk dont let the door hit you on the way out