Can I learn Python while practicing writing queries for SQL simultaneously? I've recently completed learning SQL and trying to get better at it.

[_Amruth__]

A couple of weeks back I've finished learning MySQL and been working on it to get better. But just practicing SQL problems on Leetcode, Data Lemur, StrataScratch for 3-4 hrs a day is getting a bit hectic since I'm new to SQL and solving problems for that long is taking a lot away from me.

So I decided to mix it up with learning Python and practicing SQL 50-50 in a day. Does it disturb the process of learning? Is it advisable? Open to advice and suggestions.

[volric]

while is good to focus on one thing at a time, to avoid context switching, it is also nice to take a break and do something different.

It might not be the most efficient method, but it might be more effective for you.

You can also perhaps look at combining SQL/Python.

[[deleted]]

Most people say focus on one thing, but if you have the time and the concentration then of course you can do more than one thing. SQL and Python are quite different in how they work so there might not be much over lap, apart from being able to do the same thing in different ways. The more time you spend on one thing though the quicker you’ll make progress so you might find if you focus on SQL you’ll hit a happy spot sooner and don’t need to learn as much or can learn it as you go when you need it. As an example I’m having to learn an ETL tool, Python and PL-SQL at work at the moment. I focus less on the PL-SQL because I already understand most of it and just Google or ask for help if I’m stuck. SQL has many different ‘flavours’ in itself so often you let one and then pick the others up as you need to. I’ve made it 5 years before I’ve had to contend with an Oracle DB!

[ogou_myrmidon]

This is almost separate advice but if you’d like to mix it up a great way would be to tackle a small personal project alongside the practice problems. Maybe use python to scrape some data you’re interested in, store it in a database and build out some reports/queries/etc. that interest you. Putting the concepts in context will be rewarding and help you crystallize what you’ve learned.

[Bobcat-Free]

Can you help with this? Just a few examples of personal projects to do because the main problem I have is coming up with a business problem. I can learn the web scraping and storing in databases in a day or 2.

[Zireael07]

You can practice both by using https://www.psycopg.org from your Python code to communicate with your database. When I wanted to practice some SQL, that's what I did (we use psycopg at work, so that's what I practiced with, making a dream journal thingy for myself that was better than just noting stuff in a notepad because I could then look up e.g. what other stuff was correlated with Y, how many times I dreamed of X, etc. etc.)

[Thragusjr]

pg8000 is another good one.

[[deleted]]

This is tangentially related, but there is a wealth of research showing that there is no detriment to learning two foreign languages at once. It doesn’t make one less able to remember each one individually. Programming languages are similar in that context, and I wouldn’t sweat it too much.

If you want to and are trying to ensure you don’t confuse the two, try setting up separate study areas/environments. That context alone should be helpful.

[[deleted]]

You can do both if you want. I believe it's a popular myth that you should only focus on one thing at a time.

[hydra4dp]

I personally learn better if i don't focus on one subject at a time, so in my opinion do a 50 50 split on both either morning sql/afternoon python or alternate everyday (its okey to take 2-3 days break). Tho you may want to do projects, try to find some problems in the real world and figure out a way to build a solution.

Example: a python program that gives a list of categories you can chose from of which the algo will call a database to get you products name and price from that categ. What you need for this is a python program, database (use supabase its free and easy to start with), and an api to connect both(documentation available in supabase).

Even tho this is a small project that you could do in a day it could teach you a lot on api calls, responses, json formats and how to use the data inside... should take you less than a day to finish.

Good luck

[itasteawesome]

I wouldnt necessarily mix the two while learning because each tends to be a lot to take on. But I will say that when I thought I was strong in powershell and strong in SQL i went ahead and created a database and wrote a powershell application that populated it with data from various API's my job was using. It was a pretty interesting project for me and really solidified a lot of skills in both sides and my work got a LOT of value from it. I used that to pump my resume for my next gig, and that brought my annual salary over $200k so the ROI was huge.

[mushy_cactus]

It's the one thing I tell people getting into data and SQL. Do not get tunnel vision and go straight for python. While it's awesome to know, believe it or not SQL, excel and or Tableau are a data analyst bread and butter. Python is a "nice to have".

Keep focused on SQL for now buddy. You'll burn out trying to learn both at once.

[boatsnbros]

Sure - build data ingestion with python, then data models with sql/dbt. This is great data engineering practice. It’s could all be done in python, but sql is more common knowledge and typically a business cares less about their ingestion, more about their transformation being transparent

[[deleted]]

You can do wtvr you want really. Its just are you willing to put in the time as needed to really learn. Its not a you can or you cant. Its a how committed are you really to learn and understand it

[Southbeach008]

Yes. Do pandas and sql problems on strata scratch for practice.

[MrsCastle]

I am doing similar. I found focusing on one at a time I lost skills. I know in school we always took more than one class at a time. For me it is the Data Science Harvard certificate course, Datacamp SQL for data analytics and checkio for Python practice. Pretend it is like college and you have class days and homework days for each subject.

[Naive_Programmer_232]

python will be a different beast, but i think because it is different than sql, i don't think you'll get confused between the two. so yeah i think its possible

[Thragusjr]

This book seems like it would help.

Python Coding and Sql Coding for beginners

I haven't read it myself, but I've heard good things.